Blockchain Security Model for Minimizing Free-Riding in a Peer-to-Peer Network

Abstract

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks are unique innovations utilised in file sharing applications to accomplish better execution and evade a weak link. They can be centralised and decentralised, structured and unstructured. The prevalence of the P2P network has drawn in various attacks, including Free Riding, which decreases the adequacy of the network. Although numerous moderation strategies have been proposed to diminish the effect of such attacks, minimising free-riding is still a major challenge on the Internet. A P2P-based mechanism called blockchain technology is a promising tool capable of addressing this challenge due to its distinct features, such as transparency, provision of a highly secure platform, immunity to attackers, and cost-effectiveness. This research proposes a blockchain-based security structure for P2P networks to address free-riding and is modelled using an incentive approach. The proposed framework uses blockchain hash value to connect each peer with the associated super peer that grants an upload or a download, validating the peer and forming an immutable block in the network. The system was tested within a peer-to-peer file-sharing system simulation scenario and implemented using Java programming language. The simulation results show improved performance in identifying and countering free riders in the network with a fairness index of 0.8 to 0.9, blocking approximately 400 peers, and creating more than 4500 validated blocks at 2500 peers.