diff --git a/_alerts/2016-10-28-alert-retirement.md b/_alerts/2016-10-28-alert-retirement.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..3154cffa --- /dev/null +++ b/_alerts/2016-10-28-alert-retirement.md @@ -0,0 +1,64 @@ +--- +## This file is licensed under the MIT License (MIT) available on +## http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT. + +title: "Alert System Retirement" +shorturl: "alert-retirement" +active: true +banner: "Alert system is being retired (click here to read)" +bannerclass: "info" +--- + +## Summary + +The network wide Alert system is being retired. **_No Bitcoins are at risk and this warning may be safely ignored._** +Upgrade to the newest version of your wallet software to no longer see the alert. + +## Reasons for Retirement + +The network wide Alert system was created by Satoshi Nakamoto as a means of informing Bitcoin users of any important +information regarding Bitcoin. It has been used in the past to inform users about important network events such as +accidental blockchain forks. However, the Alert system also represents a large source of centralization in Bitcoin. +The holders of the singular Alert Key can at any time send an alert which could affect the entire network. As more +developers join, the Alert Key is given to others, but cannot be taken away from those who have left. This has led +to the Alert Key potentially falling into the hands of malicious actors who could use it to disrupt the network. Because +there is only one Alert key, it is not possible to prevent former developers from sending an alert nor is it possible +to identify who sent an Alert. + +In addition, the Alert system is primarily Bitcoin Core specific. Many other wallets have their own systems in place but +still must have handling for the Alert system because it is network wide. Something specific for one software should +not be imposed on the entire network. + +The Alert system has also lost its usefulness. It is no longer necessary to use it to inform users about problematic network +events as users can easily get their information from any major Bitcoin news outlet. + +## The Retirement Plan + +Retirement of the Alert system consists of a pre-final alert (this alert) which will warn about the impending retirement, a +final maximum sequence alert which cannot be overridden and displays a static "Alert Key Compromised" message, and the +publishing of the Alert key itself. The final alert will be hard coded into Bitcoin Core 0.14 to ensure that all old nodes +receive the final alert. + +|Action|Description|Date| +|---|---|---| +|Pre-final Alert Posts|Posts on Bitcoin.org, various forums, and various mailing lists that the Alert system will be retired|2016-10-28| +|Pre-final Alert|The alert itself warning that the Alert system will be retired|2016-10-29| +|Final Alert|Max sequence Alert to disable the Alert system|2017 (Will coincide with Bitcoin Core 0.14 Release Candidate process)| +|Alert key released|The Alert key will be made publicly available|1-2 months after the Final Alert| + +## Software without the Alert system + +Most major Bitcoin wallets have already removed the alert system in the most recent releases. The software listed below +are guaranteed to have removed/disabled the Alert system or allow you to disable it. + +* Bitcoin Core 0.13.1, 0.13.0, 0.12.1 +* Bitcoin Core 0.10.3, 0.11.x, and 0.12.x can disable alerts with `-alerts=0` +* Armory 0.94.1+ + +## See also + +* [Original email proposing retirement](https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/pipermail/bitcoin-dev/2016-September/013104.html) +* [Pull request removing Alert system](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/7692) +* [Removal discussion on github](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/6260) +* [Pull request disabling alerts](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/6274) +* [IRC Discussion](https://botbot.me/freenode/bitcoin-core-dev/2016-09-22/?msg=73446303&page=6)