<p>Ethereum Classic (ETC) Labs proposed a multi-stage strategy on Wednesday to combat the risk of 51% attacks, which have roiled the network in recent weeks.</p> <p>As The Block has reported, Ethereum Classic saw two such <a href="https://www.theblockcrypto.com/linked/74130/ethereum-classic-another-51-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">attacks</a> — wherein a miner amasses sufficient hashing power to amend the network's transaction history — in early August. And as later outlined, major exchanges are watching closely to see whether the network issues might ultimately prompt them to <a href="https://www.theblockcrypto.com/daily/75117/crypto-exchanges-ethereum-classic-attacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">delist</a> the ETC token entirely. The issue stems from the fact that Ethereum Classic's hash rate remains very low — the cost to carry out this form of attack is about $5,300 per hour, according to <a href="https://www.crypto51.app" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Crypto51</a>. </p> <p>According to the <a href="https://medium.com/ethereum-classic-labs/etc-network-security-plan-fed70402b727" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">proposed security plan</a>, ETC Labs is laying out a roadmap for further securing the network. "In response to the recent attacks against the network, we are developing a strategic and robust plan to carry ETC forward. As stewards of a public blockchain, we are determined to protect the integrity of the ecosystem. We are investing more resources, human and financial, to enhance security, strengthen the network, and ensure a bright future for ETC," the group stated.</p> <p>Among the "immediate" steps put forward include the pursuit of "Defensive Mining through cooperation with miners and mining pools to maintain a more consistent hash rate and to increase hash rate when needed." This stage also calls for closer coordination with exchanges, beefed-up network monitoring and "Implementing a 'Permapoint' finality arbitration system developed by the ETC Core Team to aggressively inhibit chain reorganizations while maintaining consensus among nodes."</p> <p>In the long-term, ETC Labs indicated that it might propose to utilize check-pointing on the network or advance a plan to change Ethereum Classic's hashing algorithm entirely. </p> <p>"The two alternatives under consideration are Keccak-256, or RandomX. These could be implemented through a hard fork in approximately 6 months, provided that testing is completed successfully," the post stated. </p> <p>Overall, the proposal timeline extends into the new year, pending input from the community and consensus among its stakeholders.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>