1-Introduction | 2-Best Practices | 3-Development | 4-Auditing
On the Need for a Trustless Society
In the intricate ballet of ethics, it is our deeply-held convictions that choreograph our every move, rational or otherwise. The architecture of our choices is erected upon the bedrock of our perceived moral obligations—these invisible structures govern our actions, however capricious they might appear. Our behaviors are invariably tethered to a constellation of personal values, enacted in the pursuit of self-interest and, by extension, the welfare of our kin. Yet, this pursuit is neither clinical nor devoid of emotion; it is merely confined within the walls of our ethical convictions. At the heart of our interpersonal transactions lies a singular, all-encompassing currency: trust.
Trust infiltrates every facet of our daily interactions; it is cultivated through the steady, consistent application of our ethical systems. It is a commodity more valuable than the rarest minerals and more delicate than the finest glass—easily shattered and arduously recovered. Once tarnished, the stain of mistrust lingers, often relegating relationships to irreparable ruin.
This reliance on trust, however, exposes the inherent frailties within systems built upon it. Institutions, after all, are not mere structures of brick and mortar but are animated by the collective endeavor of individuals. As personnel fluctuate, so too does the fidelity of the institution, sustained only by the continuous fulfillment of commitments and adherence to founding principles. Yet, the vicissitudes of leadership often introduce figures who, either through ignorance or discordance, fail to uphold these revered values, thereby initiating a decay from within—a rot that can bring even the most storied institutions to their knees.
The inefficiencies of trust-based systems are manifest. They squander vast resources in the maintenance of trust, or in futile attempts to reclaim it. They mandate indoctrination, oversee conduct, and curate appearances, not solely to honor their pledges but often to fabricate an aura of reliability.
Historically, the collapse of such systems is almost inevitable, punctuated by periods of prosperity and turmoil. Their downfall typically arises from a misalignment of incentives, no longer anchored to the trust-earning principles upon which they were founded.
What, then, is the remedy to this cyclical malaise of constructing and deconstructing trust? Must we resign ourselves to a Sisyphean fate, or is there an escape from this relentless cycle?
The answer may lie in obviating the need for institutional trust altogether, a possibility heralded by the advent of blockchain technology. This innovation promises a paradigm shift, transferring the basis of trust from fallible institutions to decentralized, immutable protocols. In essence, blockchain and the broader Web3 technologies aspire to create a “trustless” environment—one where trust is so inherent, it becomes negligible.
Web3 aims to erect a digital ecosystem characterized by security, privacy, transparency, and decentralization. It aspires to be censorship-resistant, open, permissionless, borderless, neutral, and scalable—qualities that could redefine the very nature of trust.
The journey towards this new paradigm will be arduous, necessitating not only technological innovation but also a cultural shift in how we perceive and interact with digital systems. The path forward will demand rigorous proof of the security and reliability of these new technologies, underscoring the critical importance of Web3 security.
As we venture into this digital frontier, our enduring challenge remains to safeguard our liberties, much as we have in the physical realm. The onus is upon us to continue this vigilance into the digital age, combating the dual threats of tyranny and surveillance with every tool at our disposal.
Thus, in our quest for a freer, more secure digital world, we introduce these guidelines for Web3 security—not merely as technical directives but as a manifesto for maintaining our autonomy in the face of ever-evolving threats. It is in our collective interest, both individual and societal, to forge systems that mitigate risks, appropriately penalize wrongdoing, and encourage constructive participation. In this spirit, we present these insights into Web3 security as our contribution to a nobler cause.
-Amo
Who is this for?
Anyone interested in gaining a greater understanding of security as it pertains to Web3, Blockchain, Smart Contracts and Cryptocurrency can find value in this guide. That includes:
- Software Developers
- Security Researchers
- Software Architects
- Information Technology Professionals
- Executives and Managers
- Investment Analysts
Focus and Scope
The first section should be accessible to anyone with IT or technology experience. The second section starts to become more technical. An effort is made to make all the content accessible to as many people as possible by (eventually) providing links and suggestions in areas where more information is required.
Nonetheless, it is impossible to avoid the inevitable narrowing of audience focus as things progress. Again, the idea is to provide as much as possible so that section by section while keeping the requirement for previous technical experience as low as possible. The third section begins to steepen as we begin a deeper dive into the programmatic aspects of Smart Contract security. Things become more technical still in our fourth section as we discuss the process of auditing Smart Contracts.
Layout and Organization
The book can be read through serially but it is also arranged to be accessed in an ad-hoc fashion with each section and subsection standing alone. If you are familiar with Smart Contracts and the basics of Web3 you will may find section 1 “Intro to Web3 Security” is redundant.
Each major section is broken down into multiple subsections that contain multiple parts with covering particular subjects.
The focus on Web3 Security and this site favors security concerns over other aspect of developing smart contracts or creating projects, subjects that are covered in-depth by many others.
Process and Publication
This a working draft that is actively being developed. It is meant to offer resources for those interested in Web3 Security. We welcome corrections, updates and additions from those who wish to contribute. Issues and changes can be made in the repository
License
Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
And thanks for all the fish…
To all who’ve inspired, contributed and been supportive, my greatest thanks. Cheers.