Bitcoin Forum

Other => Meta => Topic started by: frankenmint on April 03, 2015, 02:42:57 PM



Title: [AREA REQUEST] Can we have an opsec section on the site? or even Security?
Post by: frankenmint on April 03, 2015, 02:42:57 PM
I'm asking because I know it fits into technical discussion and project developments. But it's not here. 

I wanted to know what the primary benefit of SSL would be for a site that only takes bitcoin that has other stuff on lock like escaping all values permissions set properly to file access, etc.  I mean SSL is cheap but, its effectively a barrier to entry if perceived as an inferior platform to transact with if SSL is absent - catch my drift guys?


Title: Re: [AREA REQUEST] Can we have an opsec section on the site? or even Security?
Post by: xandry on April 05, 2015, 05:30:01 AM
Why you can not discuss security... things like SSL for websites in "off topic" section? Just to clarify.  :)


Title: Re: [AREA REQUEST] Can we have an opsec section on the site? or even Security?
Post by: mprep on April 05, 2015, 11:56:30 AM
Why you can not discuss security... things like SSL for websites in "off topic" section? Just to clarify.  :)
You can. The off-topic section can be perfectly utilised for the discussion of digital security. If it relates to Bitcoin, it has to be in one of the other sections (depends on the content). Besides, I doubt it would actually contain and regularly get enough threads to warrant the creation of a new board.


Title: Re: [AREA REQUEST] Can we have an opsec section on the site? or even Security?
Post by: Blazr on April 05, 2015, 02:17:47 PM
SSL is used to secure the data in transit between server and client. It is to prevent anyone from reading the traffic or modifying it.

The risk would be that a hacker who has access to the persons WiFi connection could change the Bitcoin address displayed on the website and replace it with his own, allowing him to steal Bitcoins. They could also read any passwords etc This could also be done by the owners of a VPN/proxy service the user was using, or a hacker who has compromised an ISP that is transferring the packets, or an intelligence agency that has compromised a backbone internet router.

You should always use SSL when you can even if you do not think it is important, as some users may not want the NSA being able to easily spy on their traffic to your website. you can get a PositiveSSL cert for $2, and soon the EFF plan to launch a CA that will provide free SSL certs: https://letsencrypt.org/