Security Basics mailing list archives

Re: Multi-Factor Authentication Concern


From: Kevin Wilcox <kevin () tux appstate edu>
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:26:24 -0400

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Kevin Wilcox wrote:

Another scenario would be on-line banking. Suppose you and your business
partner have access to the same account. You decide to use web-based
banking. To access the account information you have to login using a
password then enter a PIN. To gain access to the account details you
would not login using your password then enter your partner's PIN - you
would use *your* password and *your* PIN. Like the data centre scenario,
just because more than one person has access to a resource doesn't mean
you allow authentication credentials from anyone with access - it
destroys the concept of accountability. Instead you require that all of
the authentication credentials come from the same person so you know who
to hold accountable if something happens (and because it could be the
law in your vicinity).

My previous follow-up to this reported as failed so if this comes
through twice, my apologies.

Yes, I'm aware that using password + PIN *may* qualify as strong
authentication but does *NOT* qualify as multi-factor. I was just using
that as a quick example.

kmw
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