Savvy attackers might be able to “loot” bitcoin from others by way of the Lightning Network if users aren’t careful, a new cybersecurity report warns.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem computer scientists Jona Harris and Aviv Zohar have taken a closer look at a “systemic” Lightning Network attack that could lead to loss of funds. The attack, which they describe in their new paper, “Flood & Loot: A Systemic Attack on the Lightning Network,” preys on Bitcoin blockchain congestion.
The problem with the Bitcoin blockchain is it’s slow to settle payments and it only supports a few transactions per second. The Lightning Network is a second-layer solution that helps to solve this massive problem by pulling payments off the Bitcoin blockchain.
More info:
https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoins-lightning-network-is-vulnerable-to-looting-new-research-explains