Aladdin Introduces New eToken Pro Anywhere Key
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 :-)