The security integration uses Blockaid’s threats database to screen for increasingly sophisticated phishing scams and exploits impacting Web3 users.

Avalanche has partnered with Blockaid to enhance the security of its Core wallet, aiming to combat the rise in sophisticated phishing scams and hacks targeting decentralized finance (DeFi). Blockaid’s security features will be integrated directly into the Core wallet to prescreen transactions against a database of known malicious threats and alert users before transactions are signed and posted. This form of protection, known as transaction simulation, is already employed by other major platforms like OpenSea, MetaMask, Zerion, Coinbase, and Rainbow, and has reportedly helped prevent 1.3 million attacks.

Akash Gupta, head of consumer products at Ava Labs, emphasized that the partnership with Blockaid enhances user security and control without sacrificing speed and ease of use, allowing users to explore the Avalanche ecosystem with confidence.

However, there are criticisms regarding Blockaid’s security screening, particularly about the high rate of false positives. Blockaid defends this as a necessary measure to ensure robust security, preferring to err on the side of caution rather than allowing potential threats to slip through.

The evolving threat landscape remains a challenge. Cybersecurity expert Bernhard Mueller noted that advanced malware, such as the "Angel Drainer," could potentially bypass transaction simulators by using dynamic, unmarked contract addresses. Despite this, Blockaid’s current systems have proven effective, as Mueller’s tests showed that even these advanced techniques were flagged as suspicious.

This partnership signifies a proactive approach to improving security in the DeFi space, balancing the need for rigorous protection with user-friendly experiences.