# Inside the node Blockchain nodes are computers that are running the blockchain software Often, blockchain software is designed to isolate the blockchain's operation within a virtual machine The blockchain software relies upon components of the underlying node: * **Ability to perform necessary processing** (mining, block validation, etc) * **Network connectivity** (sending and receiving blocks and transactions) Traditional cyberattacks against the blockchain nodes can enable attacks against the blockchain. The opposite is also true --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://davidjosearaujo.gitbook.io/online-courses/blockchain-security/blockchain-in-action/nodes-and-network/inside-the-node.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.