<p>There is no "authentication" in bitcoin protocol. It is not encrypted also. </p>

<p>You can use wireshark to investigate handshake packets</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-09T13:16:24.183Z
That is what I basically wanted to know.
Sebi
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-10T04:59:00.010Z
See http://www.righto.com/2014/02/bitcoins-hard-way-using-raw-bitcoin.html
Wizard Of Ozzie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-09T13:12:34.613Z
2015-06-09T13:12:34.613Z
amaclin
<p>After going through the <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Protocol_documentation" rel="nofollow">bitcoin protocol documentation</a> it is still unclear to me how the bitcoin client is authenticated. Where can I find an overview of what the client sends and receives on the wire during authentication?</p>

<bitcoind><protocol><encryption><cryptography><authentication>
Authentication and key distribution in bitcoin
Sebi
# Authentication and key distribution in bitcoin

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-06-09)

After going through the [bitcoin protocol documentation](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Protocol_documentation) it is still unclear to me how the bitcoin client is authenticated. Where can I find an overview of what the client sends and receives on the wire during authentication?

**Tags:** bitcoind, protocol, encryption, cryptography, authentication


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-06-09. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

There is no "authentication" in bitcoin protocol. It is not encrypted also.

You can use wireshark to investigate handshake packets

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: That is what I basically wanted to know.  
> **username_2**: See http://www.righto.com/2014/02/bitcoins-hard-way-using-raw-bitcoin.html  

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