Re: IoT security, was Krebs on Security booted off Akamai network

[Mel Beckman <mel () beckman org>]

Barry,

The problem isn't authentication during initial installation, since that can be done using SSL and a web login to the 
cloud service. The problem is that vendors aren't even using minimal security protections, such as SSL, and then 
leaving devices open to inbound connections, which is bad even behind a firewall (because viruses typically scan LANs 
for these vulnerable devices). These are the devices exploited by hackers to become DDoS attack vectors. 

 -mel beckman

> On Oct 9, 2016, at 1:02 PM, "bzs () TheWorld com" <bzs () TheWorld com> wrote:
>
>
> Elsewhere, for decades, I've bemoaned the fact that keyboards (etc)
> don't have credit card swipes (perhaps today "and chip readers") so
> with some care on the part of the software someone could prove they
> likely have physical access to the card.
>
> But it would be very useful in this IoT problem.
>
> You power up a new device, it won't enable until you run some web
> (e.g.) interface.
>
> At that point you swipe a card which generates a hash which secures
> the IoT device from further config until it's presented again. The
> device can have the usual reset to factory config button for the case
> of lost cards.
>
> It needn't even be an active credit card. It could be an old spent
> gift card. It could even be a free card that comes right in the box
> tho that might invite predictability, but maybe a basket of cards to
> use at the checkout counter "take one you'll need it for setup".
>
> The software just has to be able to read the magstripe or chip and use
> the info to generate a reasonably secure hash which is stored
> (preferably in the device.)
>
> Need to reconfig, open the window, swipe the same card.
>
> Hotel safes often use this approach as an alternative to PIN entry.
>
> The device doesn't store any info about the card directly, only the
> hash. And as I said it could be most anything that looks like a credit
> card and has a readable mag stripe.
>
> The user doesn't have to come up with a password and can't use the
> device until a hash is stored.
>
> But, alas, no swipes...
>
> -- 
>        -Barry Shein
>
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