Aladdin Introduces New eToken Pro Anywhere Key
Speaking about the use of smart cards and electronic USB keys, we are silent about the software that is necessary for the operating system to recognize the smart card or USB key as crypto storage. Therefore, their use is limited to those workstations on which special software (drivers) is installed, or on which these drivers can be installed (unless of course there is where to install them).
Aladdin Knowlage System introduced the technology to the market, or rather, a new version of eToken keys that can be used without installing any software on a Windows workstation.
The new keys are called eToken Pro Anywhere. Despite the big name, these keys can be used for authentication by certificates only on web-resources. For example, authentication using this key in a VPN connection does not work. Although this product has just begun to develop, and in the future, I think the functionality of the key will be significantly expanded.
Now a few words about how this works.
The eToken Pro Anywhere key contains a controller that emulates a USB CD-ROM. When you connect eToken Pro Anywhere from this CD-ROM, a mini-loader starts, which crawls on the Internet, to a pre-configured site, and via HTTP, downloads a small library and settings file. This site is recorded in the key settings when it is configured.
After downloading these two files, the USB key controller disconnects the CD-ROM and connects the electronic key itself. However, in the system, this key is recognized as a HID-compatible device, which allows you to connect and use the key without having administrative rights.
The downloadable library contains the functions for working with the key (read / write authentication information). The settings file contains a list of those sites on which authentication is possible using the certificates contained in the key.
For a better understanding of the operation scheme, I will give a picture:
I think that in the near future, it will be possible to use electronic keys on any computer without installing additional software.
Scope of these devices
- these are banking solutions, such keys can be issued to users of online client banks;
- electronic trading floors;
- in a corporate environment, for access to published corporate resources;
- other :-)
Aladdin Knowlage System introduced the technology to the market, or rather, a new version of eToken keys that can be used without installing any software on a Windows workstation.
The new keys are called eToken Pro Anywhere. Despite the big name, these keys can be used for authentication by certificates only on web-resources. For example, authentication using this key in a VPN connection does not work. Although this product has just begun to develop, and in the future, I think the functionality of the key will be significantly expanded.
Now a few words about how this works.
The eToken Pro Anywhere key contains a controller that emulates a USB CD-ROM. When you connect eToken Pro Anywhere from this CD-ROM, a mini-loader starts, which crawls on the Internet, to a pre-configured site, and via HTTP, downloads a small library and settings file. This site is recorded in the key settings when it is configured.
After downloading these two files, the USB key controller disconnects the CD-ROM and connects the electronic key itself. However, in the system, this key is recognized as a HID-compatible device, which allows you to connect and use the key without having administrative rights.
The downloadable library contains the functions for working with the key (read / write authentication information). The settings file contains a list of those sites on which authentication is possible using the certificates contained in the key.
For a better understanding of the operation scheme, I will give a picture:
I think that in the near future, it will be possible to use electronic keys on any computer without installing additional software.
Scope of these devices
- these are banking solutions, such keys can be issued to users of online client banks;
- electronic trading floors;
- in a corporate environment, for access to published corporate resources;
- other :-)