Is it possible to verify 'synced_to_graph' status to prevent fraud?

[Cypra]

Hello everyone,

I was looking at the GingerWallet LND Quest and a curious thought crossed my mind regarding verification.

I noticed that while synced_to_chain usually becomes true after some time, many users struggle to get their synced_to_graph status to turn true. It seems to remain false for quite a while for some.

My question is simply this: If a user decides to be "clever" and edits their

Code:

lncli getinfo

output or Photoshops the screenshot to make it look like synced_to_graph is true, is there any way to actually catch them?

Since we can't see their screen in real-time, is it possible to differentiate between a real result and a fake one? I am just curious if it is possible to catch this kind of over-smart behavior.

[Satofan44]

My question is simply this: If a user decides to be "clever" and edits their

Code:

lncli getinfo

output or Photoshops the screenshot to make it look like synced_to_graph is true, is there any way to actually catch them?

Since we can't see their screen in real-time, is it possible to differentiate between a real result and a fake one? I am just curious if it is possible to catch this kind of over-smart behavior.

No, there isn't. There have been concerns about cheating in the other Bitcoin Node challenge of this kind too. At some point there could be even organized farming of merits this way, as someone who is savvy could prepare and sell information or proof for each of the steps that are required in a challenge. NotATether made some changes to the Bitcoin Node challenge to limit the cheating, but they are never going to be bullet proof. They may just reduce cheating from the less savvy users.

Whatever method is applied, it will only have some effect. For example, changing from allowing text-based outputs to screenshots only would limit the number of users who could cheat this way. Many people do not have the expertise to make a proper edit of a non-browser based value. Still users who are experienced with image editing could bypass this rule or even provide this as service to others.
You can close this thread now, most replies will be pointless as there is no method of providing objectively verifiable information of this kind.

[NotATether]

There are some methods to trivially check if the node is synced to some degree, but none can verify whether it's completely synced.

Obvious indicators:

- If you cannot connect to the LND node address, then its channel graph has definitely not been built.
- Similarly, if the list of peers is zero or perhaps one (I could ask for this information for instance), the node is obviously not reachable so and therefore not likely to be synced, as LND nodes need to be online 24/7.

[Tinubu]

There are some methods to trivially check if the node is synced to some degree, but none can verify whether it's completely synced.

Obvious indicators:

- If you cannot connect to the LND node address, then its channel graph has definitely not been built.
- Similarly, if the list of peers is zero or perhaps one (I could ask for this information for instance), the node is obviously not reachable so and therefore not likely to be synced, as LND nodes need to be online 24/7.

You can also check the block number...is node at the latest block..??
And it should also match the network size ( how many channels does it know..??)

I also learnt that LND has built-in a status check that you can look at..but you really can't be sure that the node is completely synced..(but that is enough for it to work properly)...so you can check multiple things at a time..like (peers + blocks + channels + uptime)..this can tell you if it's "good enough to use" but not "perfect"..

[Satofan44]

You can also check the block number...is node at the latest block..??
And it should also match the network size ( how many channels does it know..??)

I also learnt that LND has built-in a status check that you can look at..but you really can't be sure that the node is completely synced..(but that is enough for it to work properly)...so you can check multiple things at a time..like (peers + blocks + channels + uptime)..this can tell you if it's "good enough to use" but not "perfect"..

The poster can wait for someone to post and then shortly post after them. Alternatively they can get this information from someone else. It does not prevent cheating in any meaningful way. The topic here is not about how one can check if a node is truly synced, but about how fraud can be avoided in the challenge. I've already answered it, it can not be avoided. Stop responding with AI nonsense. @NotATether it is better to avoid topics like this, we just encourage spammers.