Unique Web-Key Authentication for Phishing Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for user verification and phishing prevention are inadequate, as they can be easily compromised by attackers who capture both authentication sources, such as usernames and tokens, allowing phishing attacks to succeed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a unique web-key, an unguessable private URL, combined with an electronic authentication token, which requires the user to access a personalized login page, ensuring that the token cannot be used without the web-key and adding an additional authentication layer with a password.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional username/password authentication is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to phishing attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication process is divided into separate components: a static username/password and a dynamic one-time token. This segmentation ensures that even if one component is compromised, the other remains secure, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through the automated token generation process
Solution Approach 2:
A one-time token is generated in advance and associated with the username before the authentication attempt. This preliminary action creates a time-sensitive authentication mechanism that prevents phishing attacks, as the token cannot be reused or predicted by attackers
2Reliability
If electronic authentication tokens are added to verification process, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates and manages the one-time tokens without requiring manual intervention. The token generation and validation processes are handled autonomously by the authentication system, improving reliability through automated security measures while avoiding the complexity burden on users
3Reliability
If unique web-key with personalized login page is implemented, then reliability is improved against phishing, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional authentication steps
Solution Approach 1:
The unique web-key, personalized login page, and one-time token authentication are merged into a single integrated authentication flow. This combination ensures that all authentication elements work together seamlessly, improving reliability through comprehensive security while maintaining ease of operation through a unified user experience
Data Source
AI summary
An example method is provided in according with one implementation of the present disclosure. The method includes receiving a verification request from a unique web-key, determining whether the web-key is associated with an account, and receiving an electronic authentication associated with the web-key. The method further includes verifying the electronic authentication and the association between the web-key and the electronic authentication, and granting, with the computing device, the verification request.