Blockchain and Machine Learning-Based Hybrid IDS to Protect Smart Networks and Preserve Privacy

The cyberspace is a convenient platform for creative, intellectual, and accessible works that provide a medium for expression and communication. Malware, phishing, ransomware, and distributed denial-of-service attacks pose a threat to individuals and organisations. To detect and predict cyber threats effectively and accurately, an intelligent system must be developed. Cybercriminals can exploit Internet of Things devices and endpoints because they are not intelligent and have limited resources. A hybrid decision tree method (HIDT) is proposed in this article that integrates machine learning with blockchain concepts for anomaly detection. In all datasets, the proposed system (HIDT) predicts attacks in the shortest amount of time and has the highest attack detection accuracy (99.95% for the KD99 dataset and 99.72% for the UNBS-NB 15 dataset). To ensure validity, the binary classification test results are compared to those of earlier studies. The HIDT's confusion matrix contrasts with previous models by having low FP/FN rates and high TP/TN rates. By detecting malicious nodes instantly, the proposed system reduces routing overhead and has a lower end-to-end delay. Malicious nodes are detected instantly in the network within a short period. Increasing the number of nodes leads to a higher throughput, with the highest throughput measured at 50 nodes. The proposed system performed well in terms of the packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay, robustness, and scalability, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed system. Data can be protected from malicious threats with this system, which can be used by governments and businesses to improve security and resilience.