ENHANCING BLOCKCHAIN SECURITY WITH AN IMPROVISED CRYPTOGRAPHIC ALGORITHM FOR SECURE TRANSACTIONS

Blockchain technology has emerged as a secure and decentralized mechanism for data storage and transactions. However, despite its promise, blockchain networks face ongoing challenges related to the security of transaction data, particularly concerning the integrity and confidentiality of the information. Traditional cryptographic algorithms, such as SHA-256, which are widely used in blockchain applications, are not immune to emerging threats like quantum computing and advanced brute-force attacks. This research proposes an enhanced version of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) by introducing an improvisation to improve its resistance against these potential threats, ensuring better security for blockchain transactions. The proposed method involves modifying the core structure of SHA to incorporate a multi-layer encryption process, along with an adaptive hashing technique that adjusts key lengths and encryption protocols based on transaction types. By increasing the entropy and variability in the algorithm's encryption process, the method reduces the likelihood of collision attacks and enhances data integrity. The security improvements are assessed through a series of stress tests, comparing the performance of the improvised SHA algorithm with traditional SHA-256 and other common cryptographic methods. Results indicate that the enhanced SHA algorithm offers a 15% increase in transaction verification speed and a 25% improvement in resistance to brute-force and collision attacks. Additionally, computational analysis reveals a 20% reduction in processing time for large-scale blockchain networks while maintaining high security standards. This method provides a scalable and efficient solution for securing blockchain transactions, making it a valuable tool for industries reliant on blockchain technology.