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FREE Authenex A-Key USB Govt. Encryption Unit

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i've got one... works well

Basically, it's double strong authentication. You need 2 factors to login: a hard-factor, and a soft-factor...
the hard factor is the physical key. Each person has their own specific key... it contains an encrypted identifier.
the soft factor is a password. Each user has a password they have to type in when they want to login.

By combining both the hard and soft factors, Authenex makes it more difficult for hackers to commit identity fraud of users. They'd need the password (not that hard to get), and the correctly encrypted key (much harder to get). The secadmin can invalidate all keys with a single command if there's a report of a lost/stolen key. This means that everyone's keys won't work with their old passwords anymore, they'll have to check in with him or a member of the secteam and get new passwords.

All in all, a 2 factor or double strong security system is not too bad a way to protect sensitive data. A similar system is used by banks with ATM cards. You need the card + PIN...

Rock on,
Shark
 
OK, I'll admit I didn't read about their product at all...

What do they authenticate to on the back end? Is is an LDAP compliant database? or local IDs?

What kind of encryption/keys? Is it digital certificates?
 
Originally posted by: Woodie
OK, I'll admit I didn't read about their product at all...

What do they authenticate to on the back end? Is is an LDAP compliant database? or local IDs?

What kind of encryption/keys? Is it digital certificates?
Click to expand...
They have white papers available to read. Maybe they could answer your questions.
Just started getting into encrypting stuff on my computer and very interested in the techniques out there. Glad this came up, thanks!
 
This seems really cool! I think it will be particularly useful on my laptop!

Although, my desktop has those front usb ports not being used.... 😉
 
Thanks, will have to play with one... especially since I've got my own ACEServer (SecurID) here at home (I'm a certified SecurID Engineer)
 
Originally posted by: axskkyline
this might be a dumb question, but what does these USB Encryption Unit do??
Click to expand...

Nothing if you cannot read the thread.

i've got one... works well

Basically, it's double strong authentication. You need 2 factors to login: a hard-factor, and a soft-factor...
the hard factor is the physical key. Each person has their own specific key... it contains an encrypted identifier.
the soft factor is a password. Each user has a password they have to type in when they want to login.

By combining both the hard and soft factors, Authenex makes it more difficult for hackers to commit identity fraud of users. They'd need the password (not that hard to get), and the correctly encrypted key (much harder to get). The secadmin can invalidate all keys with a single command if there's a report of a lost/stolen key. This means that everyone's keys won't work with their old passwords anymore, they'll have to check in with him or a member of the secteam and get new passwords.

All in all, a 2 factor or double strong security system is not too bad a way to protect sensitive data. A similar system is used by banks with ATM cards. You need the card + PIN...

Rock on,
Shark
Click to expand...

Anyone got theirs yet?
 
Originally posted by: OulOat
Originally posted by: axskkyline
this might be a dumb question, but what does these USB Encryption Unit do??
Click to expand...

Nothing if you cannot read the thread.

i've got one... works well

Basically, it's double strong authentication. You need 2 factors to login: a hard-factor, and a soft-factor...
the hard factor is the physical key. Each person has their own specific key... it contains an encrypted identifier.
the soft factor is a password. Each user has a password they have to type in when they want to login.

By combining both the hard and soft factors, Authenex makes it more difficult for hackers to commit identity fraud of users. They'd need the password (not that hard to get), and the correctly encrypted key (much harder to get). The secadmin can invalidate all keys with a single command if there's a report of a lost/stolen key. This means that everyone's keys won't work with their old passwords anymore, they'll have to check in with him or a member of the secteam and get new passwords.

All in all, a 2 factor or double strong security system is not too bad a way to protect sensitive data. A similar system is used by banks with ATM cards. You need the card + PIN...

Rock on,
Shark
Click to expand...

Anyone got theirs yet?
Click to expand...
I haven't gotten mine yet. If I don't because too many people ordered one "just because" I'll be mad since we're actually looking at getting something like this.

 
Anyone got theirs yet?
I haven't gotten mine yet. If I don't because too many people ordered one "just because" I'll be mad since we're actually looking at getting something like this.
Click to expand...

Yeah well this is life at Anandtech...unless you are the one that discovered the deal..u dont have a right to complain that other forums bro and sis are getting in on the deal... it a fair game.. 😀
 
Originally posted by: sak
Anyone got theirs yet?
I haven't gotten mine yet. If I don't because too many people ordered one "just because" I'll be mad since we're actually looking at getting something like this.
Click to expand...

Yeah well this is life at Anandtech...unless you are the one that discovered the deal..u dont have a right to complain that other forums bro and sis are getting in on the deal... it a fair game.. 😀
Click to expand...
I wasn't complaining that others were getting in on the deal...I was just saying that I would be upset if I (a person who is actually evaluating these products) am unable to get it because 50,000 others who want nothing more than to get something free in the mail also sign up. On the contrary, I would hope that people who have some kind of use for this take advantage of the offer.
 
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