USB key to login and unlock the desktop

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davidfoley

Re: USB key to login and unlock the desktop

Post by davidfoley »

Hey,
That's a cool idea.. The same could be done with SD cards on laptops. Toshiba had that in their bios software a while back where you create a login token with an SD card..ol

Cool :wink:

David, Wexford, Ireland.
Fred

Re: USB key to login and unlock the desktop

Post by Fred »

andy__ wrote:
As each USB device has a unique id, this id could be used

1) to create a two-factor authentication for those who need extra security

2) to authenticate the user who simply plugs in the device (like a doorkey)
And what would be the purpose of this exercise again? A sane log-in password would work just as well to keep the casual peeping-tom out. Anybody that has physical access to your laptop or desktop that really wished to examine the contents of your hard drive wouldn't even bother to go through your two-factor authentication process.

I have said it before and I will say it again. It is not possible to secure a system from someone that has physical access to the equipment, except with some reliable form of storage encryption. That is why companies that have a clue keep their servers in a locked, limited access area.

Don't be taken in by shiny bells and whistles that notebook manufactures in particular have been using lately to differentiate and justify charging more for their equipment.

Fred
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