RE: Concepts: Security and Obscurity

["Craig Wright" <Craig.Wright () bdo com au>]

To move this in a different direction.
 
Who would state on this list that the original wireless security protocols are secure?
 
Both port knocking and SPA (esp SPA) use similar mechanisims, the difference being that port knocking is WAY less 
secure and SPA is somewhat less secure than the version 1 (Lets use RC4, a OPT multiple times against the standards...) 
wireless protocol.
 
Next it is not costless, try changing the sequences on 500 hosts. See how easy this is - about as easy as chaning a 
secret key but with less value. Thus a cost. And the sequences have a time value - they are similar to an OTP but with 
less reliability. So do you change the EVERY time someone connects - not in SPA, not in Port knocking. Every connection 
is a chance they are captured. You can not know if a router at an ISP on the Internet is compromised. Many are. As such 
the safe assumption is not to trust the traffic and assume it can be interecpted.
 
So if we consider first gen wireless insecure, why would we argue that a less secure protocol is ok?
 
Regards,
Craig

Craig Wright
Manager of Information Systems

Direct +61 2 9286 5497
Craig.Wright () bdo com au

BDO Kendalls (NSW)
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