Multi-factor Client Authentication via IP Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication methods diminish user experience by applying multiple authentication challenges frequently, and they are ineffective in detecting unauthorized access attempts, such as IP address spoofing and packet header forgery.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses Internet Protocol (IP) source address analysis to determine packet origination, network connection points, and network paths, triggering additional authentication challenges only when inconsistencies are detected, thereby enhancing user experience and preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple authentication challenges are applied frequently to all clients, then security is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to unnecessary authentication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different authentication requirements to different clients based on their risk profiles. Clients with suspicious characteristics (e.g., unusual IP addresses, mismatched geolocation data) receive enhanced authentication challenges, while normal clients experience seamless access. This localized approach to security ensures that authentication overhead is applied only where necessary rather than uniformly to all users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of client characteristics (IP address, geolocation, device information) before authentication to identify potential security risks in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-determine which clients require additional authentication challenges, preventing unnecessary authentication overhead for legitimate users while preparing enhanced verification for suspicious clients.
2Ease of operation
If IP address spoofing and packet header forgery are not detected, then user experience is maintained, but security effectiveness deteriorates as unauthorized access goes undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor client characteristics and authentication outcomes. When spoofing or forgery is detected through inconsistencies in IP address, geolocation data, or network path analysis, the system provides feedback by triggering additional authentication challenges and updating risk profiles. This feedback loop enhances security effectiveness without permanently degrading user experience, as legitimate users whose data is consistent experience no disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary verification mechanisms that analyze packet headers, network paths, and client characteristics without directly interfering with the authentication process for legitimate users. These intermediaries detect spoofing and forgery by comparing multiple data sources (IP address, geolocation, network routing) and only intervene when inconsistencies indicate unauthorized access attempts.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of client authentication that includes receiving an Internet protocol source address of a client packet and determining a packet origination, a network connection point, and a network path of the client packet. The method further includes comparing the determined packet origination with at least one packet origination associated with the client, comparing the determined network connection point with at least one network connection point associated with the client, and assessing a compatibility between the determined network path and at least one of the determined packet origination or the determined network connection point. The method includes signaling execution of client authentication challenges when either of the two comparisons fails and/or the determined network path is incompatible with at least one of the determined packet origination or the determined network connection point.