<snip>
My online bank uses a system of picking random numbers from my password, and
asking me to match those numbers with a drop down box, instead of just
typing in the exact password in the same format at each login.</snip>
Can you describe this in detail? Without the details one might think this
just reduces the amount of entropy an attacker has to guess so is a bad
thing.
-----Original Message-----
From: focus@karsites.net [mailto:focus@karsites.net]
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 4:12 AM
To: webappsec@securityfocus.com
Subject: Re: Article - A solution to phishing
Maybe it is feasable to offer users different levels of security for loggin
in.
If it is going to be a one-off hi-value financial transaction, then allow
the user a higher level of security for logging into a site, to complete
that transaction.
Otherwise, just use the standard logging in methods of username and
password.
Alternatively, why not use two passwords, and a username.
My online bank uses a system of picking random numbers from my password, and
asking me to match those numbers with a drop down box, instead of just
typing in the exact password in the same format at each login.
Regards - Keith Roberts
http://www.karsites.net/
On Fri, 26 Nov 2004, Paul Johnston wrote:
To: Michael Silk <michaels@phg.com.au>
From: Paul Johnston <paul@westpoint.ltd.uk>
Subject: Re: Article - A solution to phishing
Hi Michael,
Interesting idea. Not unlike the way credit card companies will
sometimes phone you before authorizing a large transaction (never
happened to me, but they claim they do it). I think this is good as
supplemental authentication, but the delay waiting for the email and
such probably make it unsuitible as the main authentication technique.
In addition, if it is the ONLY authentication technique, then
compromise of the email account means compromise of all accounts using
this authentication.
Perhaps an interesting variation would be to SMS a pass code to a
mobile phone.
In fact, PayPal do something which is kind of similar. When you join,
they bill your card the membership fee, and put a random code in the
originator's reference. When you receive your bill and supply this
reference back to PayPal, your account is upgraded to "verified" status.
Very sensible precaution.
Regards,
Paul
Michael Silk wrote:
Hi,
Just a quick little article about a login system that, should (i
think :)), prevent phishing attempts on your site.
http://michaelsilk.blogspot.com/2004/11/article-solution-to-phishing.
htm
l
Have a look at it and let me know what you think ... and
apologies to anyone if an idea like this is already out there :)
-- Michael
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