Browser Extension for Smart Card Security via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart cards are vulnerable to security threats such as phishing, DNS cache poisoning, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, and keystroke logging when accessed via the internet, due to inadequate security measures in existing systems, which can lead to unauthorized access and data breaches.
Innovation Solution
A web-browser extension provides a secure interface between web applications and smart cards, ensuring only authorized access by validating SSL certificates and using connection keys to authenticate and authorize web applications, thereby preventing malicious interactions and ensuring secure communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a smart card access browser extension is used to enable web applications to access smart cards over the Internet, then accessibility and convenience are improved, but security vulnerabilities increase due to exposure to phishing, DNS cache poisoning, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, and malicious websites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the web application and the smart card. The server validates the web application's authorization credentials and establishes a secure communication channel, mediating the interaction to prevent direct exposure to security threats. This intermediary architecture allows web applications to access smart cards conveniently while protecting against phishing, DNS cache poisoning, and Man-in-the-Middle attacks by controlling and monitoring all communications.
2Reliability
If SSL certificate validation and connection keys are implemented to authenticate web applications, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring web applications to obtain authorization credentials from the server before accessing the smart card. The server pre-validates the web application's identity and permissions, and this authorization information is carried throughout the interaction. This preliminary authentication step simplifies the overall security model by establishing trust upfront, rather than requiring complex continuous verification mechanisms during smart card operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a host computer having a web-browser with the capability of executing at least one web-browser add-on to provide a web application access to a smart card to protect the smart card from security threats associated with being connected to the Internet. Prior to establishing a connection between a web application executing in the web browser, verifying that the web application has been authorized to connect to a smart care using the web-browser add-on to provide a web application access to a smart card.