# Proof-of-Work {% hint style="info" %} Disambiguation: [PoW vs PoS](/glossary/disambiguation/pow-vs-pos.md) {% endhint %} **Proof-of-Work** (PoW) is a consensus mechanism that is used by some blockchain networks to achieve distributed consensus. In a PoW system, users (also known as miners) compete to solve complex computational puzzles in order to validate transactions and add them to the blockchain. The process of solving these puzzles involves a significant amount of computational power, and the miner who is able to solve the puzzle first is rewarded with a certain number of tokens. This provides an incentive for miners to compete and validate transactions, as they are rewarded for their efforts. The PoW system is designed to ensure that the blockchain remains secure and tamper-proof. Because it requires a significant amount of computational power to solve the puzzles and add new blocks to the chain, it is difficult for attackers to manipulate the network or perform a 51% attack (where a group of miners control more than half of the network's computational power). --- # 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://docs.allforone.app/glossary/definitions/decentralization/distributed-consensus/proof-of-work.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.