Blockchains Are Coming

Posted on 12/22/2017 by Jim Pickerell | Printable Version | Comments (1)

Photographers and stock agencies may want to start paying a little attention to all the news about blockchains and cryptocurrency.

Promoters say that blockchains can cut out some of the middleman costs and provide a more efficient and less costly payment system between image creator and buyer. With many cryptocurrency transactions it is possible to immediately convert the currency into green backs that can be used at any local store, or hold onto the cryptocurrency with the hope that it will increase in value.

There are lots of stories right now about cryptocurrencies that have doubled or tripled in value in a few days. Of course, anything that can go up that fast can also go down just as fast. Holding such currencies may be a big risk.



Nevertheless, many Internet businesses seem to be headed in this direction.

In a recent announcement Deposit Photos will be using blockchain-based startup REMME, to safeguard its user accounts, including personal financial details from photo purchases.



Part of the argument for using blockchains is they make it harder (impossible?) for hackers to steal your account information. In theory the unbreakable, foolproof user authentication protects users, employees, and company’s data from cyber attacks.

On the other hand the Wall Street Journal recently reported that many who bought bitcoins in the past can’t cash in on how much they have appreciated because they can’t remember the complex security codes and passwords needed to get access to their bitcoins. There is no bank to call to reset them.

What is REMME?




REMME is the first platform of its kind, able to provide access to users without the need for password verification. The platform is designed to offer the absolute best in security by utilizing the distributed ledger of blockchain technology in order to protect and secure user information.

The platform is able to grant users access without passwords by providing for user authentication using a combination of SSL certificates and blockchain technology. Every time a user signs out of any REMME-linked platform, REMME issues an immutable key to the user. When the user signs back in, the key is revoked, and can never be valid.

By linking the SSL certification process to the blockchain, the company is able to allow users to determine whether a certificate is still valid or has been revoked. A valid certificate means that the user is authenticated, simply by the connection with the blockchain. A revoked certificate means that a different hacker or bot is seeking access to data on the server, and the REMME system would block that user.

Plus, REMME uses two-factor authentication (2FA) that can be used with various applications or bots that are widely available. While 2FA is not actually necessary, given the security to the REMME system, it provides a secondary component of protection for consumer confidence.

For those who might want more information check out these recent stories here, here, here and here.


Copyright © 2017 Jim Pickerell. The above article may not be copied, reproduced, excerpted or distributed in any manner without written permission from the author. All requests should be submitted to Selling Stock at 10319 Westlake Drive, Suite 162, Bethesda, MD 20817, phone 301-461-7627, e-mail: wvz@fpcubgbf.pbz

Jim Pickerell is founder of www.selling-stock.com, an online newsletter that publishes daily. He is also available for personal telephone consultations on pricing and other matters related to stock photography. He occasionally acts as an expert witness on matters related to stock photography. For his current curriculum vitae go to: http://www.jimpickerell.com/Curriculum-Vitae.aspx.  

Comments

  • Dale Wilson Posted Dec 22, 2017
    Not sure how this is going to work with the professional photographer that declares the revenue and pays taxes accordingly. You know, those same taxes that pay for social networks and government services.

    This will only serve to benefit the photographer that prefers not to declare revenue, and thus drive an underground economy even deeper.



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