Single Packet Authorization (Linux Journal)

Single Packet Authorization (Linux Journal)

Posted Mar 7, 2007 18:28 UTC (Wed) by tialaramex (subscriber, #21167)
In reply to: Single Packet Authorization (Linux Journal) by bronson
Parent article: Single Packet Authorization (Linux Journal)

Yes, your position is more clear, I think we're pretty much on the same wavelength about what the problems are and the extent to which different techniques are appropriate, it's just that I don't agree with your choice of solution (although I agree it's working for you). I prefer elegant solutions, and I see sparse addresses as elegant while secret handshakes are not. I haven't any data as to which is more effective in practice.

Adding "more" iptables rules would constitute a non-negligible increase in attack surface for me because I don't currently use, or intend to use, iptables. Of course you could argue that using IPv6 at all, even during the lengthy (perhaps a decade or more still) transition period also increases the attack surface, but if you view IPv6 as inevitable then finding any security problems in it now seems like a good up-front investment.

My original purpose in mentioning this was to justify why I think scanning is mostly a transitory problem not worthy of creating specialised protocols and tools like the one in the article.

---

(Log in to post comments)