Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge

ZK-SNARK stands for “Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge”, is a zero-knowledge proof protocol that allows one party (prover) to prove to another party (verifier) that a specific statement is true, without having to reveal any other information beyond the verification of the statement. It is mainly used to ensure privacy and security in blockchains and other cryptographic applications.

One of the main practical applications of the ZK-SNARK protocol is the cryptocurrency Zcash, which uses ZK-SNARKs to ensure the privacy of users’ transactions. Other cryptocurrencies, such as Monero and Grin, also use similar technologies to ensure privacy. Another application is the use in electronic voting systems, where it is possible to ensure the privacy of votes and at the same time the verifiability of the voting. Furthermore, the ZK-SNARK protocol is also used in privacy applications in IoT, such as medical devices and sensors, to ensure that the collected data is confidential and private. Other commercial applications include privacy applications in artificial intelligence, anonymity in financial transactions, protection of personal data and guarantee of confidentiality in electronic contracts.

A ZK-SNARK transaction typically follows the following steps:

The prover generates two public and private keys, known as “prover key” and “verifier key”.
The prover creates a “proof” which is a mathematical representation of a specific statement, using his private key. This proof is known as “proof”.
The prover sends the proof and public key to the verifier.
The verifier uses the public key to verify the validity of the proof, without needing any additional information. If the verification is successful, the statement is considered true.

It’s important to note that during the process, the prover never reveals any additional information beyond the proof, thus maintaining the privacy of the transaction.

Therefore, if ZK-SNARK nodes are storing IP addresses and digital fingerprints of the equipment involved in transactions, this can represent a possible privacy breach, as this information can be used to track user activities and compromise the privacy of transactions. It is important to note that while the ZK-SNARK protocol itself is designed to ensure the privacy and security of transactions, the implementation may have flaws or vulnerabilities that allow the leakage of confidential information. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the security and privacy measures adopted by specific ZK-SNARK implementations and to evaluate if they are sufficient to meet your needs.

Compiling the node from the source code can be a good practice to avoid potential vulnerabilities or security flaws that may be present in pre-compiled versions. This allows network participants to have more control over the code they are running and to check if it meets their privacy and security needs.

However, it is important to note that compiling the node from the source code also requires technical knowledge and programming skills, and can be a time-consuming and complex process. Additionally, it is important to keep the code updated and fix any discovered vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is important to evaluate if compiling from the source code is a viable and appropriate option for your specific situation.