Home > Ask the Security Experts > Information Security Threats Questions & Answers > Can secure USB devices prevent man-in-the middle attacks
Ask The Security Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Can secure USB devices prevent man-in-the middle attacks

John Strand, featured expert EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: John Strand, featured expert

Pose a Question
Other Security Categories
Meet all Security Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 11 January 2009
I've heard about new devices that connect to USB ports and create a secure communication channel to online banking servers. Can this type of technology prevent man-in-the middle attacks, and will they become mainstream in the future?

>
I think this is a great idea. However, the devil is in the details. There can be outstanding implementations of this technology as well as bad ones. For example, if the session with the bank does not employ proper SSL certificate verification, it may still be possible to hijack the session via a man-in-the-middle attack.

I have also seen implementations of this technology where the only authentication is with the key. This is not an optimal approach; if someone has the key, an attacker can log in to your bank without a user ID or a password. The better implementations utilize the key along with an ID and password.


BROWSE BY TAG
Information Security Threats,   SSL and TLS VPN Security,   Secure VPN Setup and Configuration,   Enterprise Network Security,   VIEW ALL TAGS

Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



RELATED CONTENT
Information Security Threats
How to get rid of malware, botnets on a hospital IT network
Should a national cybersecurity strategy include offensive botnets?
How can search results lead to malware?
How to prevent brute force webmail attacks
How to prevent mobile phone spying
What are today's antivirus software trends?
How to detect input validation errors and vulnerabilities
How to prevent and build protection against online identity theft
Is there a spy on my mobile device?
When should new browsers be adopted in an enterprise?

SSL and TLS VPN Security
Expert calls SSL protocol vulnerability a non issue
How SSL-encrypted Web connections are intercepted
Best Remote Access Products
How to set up a split-tunnel VPN in Windows Vista
Securing the intranet with remote access VPN security
A short enterprise VPN deployment guide
Creating an SSL connection between servers
Can S/MIME, XML and IPsec operate in one protocol layer?
How to secure SSL following new man-in-the-middle SSL attacks
SSLstrip hacking tool bypasses SSL to trick users, steal passwords

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
Secure Shell  (SearchSecurity.com)
Secure Sockets Layer  (SearchSecurity.com)
server accelerator card  (SearchSecurity.com)
SSL VPN  (SearchSecurity.com)
Transport Layer Security  (SearchSecurity.com)

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Find Security Solutions for Your Business
TechTarget Security Media
Information Security View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
Information Security Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
SearchSecurity.com
HomeNewsMagazineMultimediaWhite PapersLearningAdviceTopicsEventsAbout Us

About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts