News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

markkum

Re:BitAuth for Decentralized Authentication on Wednesday July 02, 2014 @05:42AM (#7976006)
Supporting multiple devices is a hard problem. We worked for a long time to enable it. Not Bitcoin protocol specific, but some words about our asymmetric key based multi-device solution here; https://www.mepin.com/lost-device/
Re:BitAuth for Decentralized Authentication on Wednesday July 02, 2014 @05:34AM (#7975981)
Funnily; the reason to outsource is exactly about not putting all your eggs in the same shared basket. You outsource the 2nd factor and keep the first factor (passwords) in-house. Implementing everything in-house is a "same shared basket".
Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @03:25PM (#7078204)
I can use similar arguments; a user can be tricked to enter an OTP to a phishing site. For that the hacker does not need to time the attack to the same second, so it's much much easier attack for the hacker.

'No 2FA' is the real silly one here. Any 2FA is so much better than no 2FA, and usability has been a big issue so far in 2FA adoption.

Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @03:06PM (#7078100)
Note that MePIN does not collect or need user's phone number, e-mail address or any other user information. You can use MePIN fully anonymously.
Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @02:49PM (#7078001)
Unfortunately there are several cases where users have entered an OTP code for another user. The recent high profile case was with World of Warcraft's OTP.
Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @02:47PM (#7077989)
Don't want to argue, but yes it would. It would stop the user for a second, giving time to the brain to process for a while what's going on.
Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @12:55PM (#7077262)
This is now fixed. Thanks for the kick.
Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @12:27PM (#7077059)
First; the user does not have to care about OS, browser, ip address or location. Though those can be shown to a user if the service provider wants.

Authorization requests can only be initiated at the back-end by authorized service providers and only for users who have linked their MePIN app with that specific provider. Though of course login verification could be initiated with stolen username/password, which would then alert the user for verification.

Now the added benefit here is that with MePIN the user would immediately know that her username and password is at wrong hands if she receives a login verification request while not actually performing a login.

So obviously the user should not authorize unexpected requests. You would not authorize a login if you are not actually performing a login, etc. Concerned users can additionally set up a personal PIN code in the app.

Lack of good usability is currently hampering 2FA adoption, we are working hard to fix that.

Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @11:58AM (#7076811)
Of course user behavior has to be considered. The MePIN app does allow the user to set up a personal PIN code, so an authorization would then require the PIN code and a tap.
Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @11:52AM (#7076764)
The solution is based on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Each authorization must be signed with the user's private key. The app is managing and protecting the keys and certificates, so user does not have to figure out key/cert management. Some info here; https://www.mepin.com/technical-overview/
Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @11:33AM (#7076629)
Working on it.
Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @11:29AM (#7076604)
The service is distributed and hosted at 3 continents with 3 different hosting providers, so we take this seriously.

Other than that; You own your users and user database. No user data is stored at MePIN servers.

Re:Show HN: The easiest 2-factor auth on Friday January 17, 2014 @10:59AM (#7076414)
It's easier because you only need to tap the app to verify. No need for OTP codes, though OTP is a fallback if your device is offline.
Re:Empty London on Sunday November 17, 2013 @12:09AM (#6747684)
This is the London I remember from early morning July 8th, 2005, the morning after the bombings. Was walking around to find a ride to the airport, couple of blocks from the double-decker wreck. Wish not to experience the same again.
Re:Twitter’s New Two-Factor Solution Kicks SMS to the Curb on Tuesday August 06, 2013 @05:06PM (#6169168)
Well, yes and no. On iOS you can somewhat rely on keychain, but when the device is jailbroken all the local "simple API" security is gone. Generic Android doesn't really have anything that I would call secure, so there a serious solution needs some heavy lifting.

And yes, the pals at AuthenTec had some cool biometric and related stuff when I worked with them :), before they were swallowed by Apple. I'm certainly looking forward to what Apple will launch ... but a fingerprint does not magically solve all the issues.

Re:Twitter’s New Two-Factor Solution Kicks SMS to the Curb on Tuesday August 06, 2013 @03:29PM (#6168653)
The cool generalized version does exist :). Check out https://www.mepin.com/

We've got RSA 2048 keys on iOS, Android and a separate smartcard USB key, and do 2-factor login and transaction authorization with a simple tap in an app + optional direct login without a password + trusted messaging. Available as an app or an app SDK.

What I'm wondering is whether Twitter is actually protecting the private keys? That's the real tricky part.

Re:Change your Last.fm password on Friday June 08, 2012 @09:37AM (#4084084)
Hi, a new developer section for the site is in the works. Stay tuned.
Re:Change your Last.fm password on Thursday June 07, 2012 @01:20PM (#4080166)
If you want something better for your site; check out MePIN https://www.mepin.com/
Re:Login to your Google account by scanning a QR code on Monday January 16, 2012 @03:41AM (#3469910)
You can sign in without username and password to OpenID enabled sites with your smartphone and Mepin; https://www.mepin.com/
Here's an example Neko.io message for you;

"I'm on a meditation trip in India. If you really need to bother me, here's my travel schedule and emergency number; https://neko.io/m/g4hF/xcjZq85lyL9TTAjefE1GLw/xGf_TME2-G9YRl...

Neko.io is a utility. People post links to social networks all the time. The above link might look long and scrambled, but most services are shortening it automatically.

Not really. Clear text messages on Fb Friend List or G+ Circles are indexed and affects your profile (towards advertizers and others), whereas Neko.io messages are encrypted and truly private. Also, the Neko.io friend list spans across any and all social networks, so you would not need to maintain lists, circles, groups, flocks, etc in various services.
We (Meontrust Inc, the provider of Neko.io and Mepin.com) would be happy to provide public key crypto (PKI) for such a service or project. Neko.io authentication, i.e. Mepin, is based on PKI.
Unfortunately this is true for now. Obviously we are going to launch other device support and means to sign in. I hope you left a vote at the site about your preferred device platform.

Neko.io adds a splash of real privacy to Facebook and elsewhere around the web

Neko.io puts the genie back in the bottle - adds a splash of real privacy to Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and elsewhere around the webIf you want to stay in touch with your friends, there's no escape from Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and other social networks. But sometimes it's good to share things on these networks in a truly private way. That's what https://neko.io/ is for.Neko.io lets you write...

( Read More... | 3 comments | 3 points | on HN )
Check out https://neko.io/ ... we are scrambling/encrypting messages into URLs which you can then share on Facebook, Twitter or where-ever.
Re:Show HN: Neko.io - pretty secret sharing on Wednesday January 04, 2012 @01:38PM (#3425266)
Yes, you can post the secret message links to your Twitter account.
Re:Show HN: Neko.io - pretty secret sharing on Wednesday January 04, 2012 @01:38PM (#3425263)
Many thanks for the feedback! You get an Access Code from the site, which you should enter on the Mepin app, which then logs you in. Try again, it's cool, thanks!

Older »