At 8:41 AM 4/10/96 -0400, Perry E. Metzger wrote: Anonymous writes:
Location-based System Delivers User Authentication Breakthrough
By Dorothy E. Denning and Peter F. MacDoran Copyright(c), 1996 - Computer Security Institute - All Rights Reserved Top - Help
When I first started reading the paper I said to myself, "Ah, they are going to have a box that provides digitally signed GPS locations." I still think they might try that as plan "B". Combined with a password or biometrics to prevent unauthorized use of the box, they might have a useful, if limited, system. A few other practical problems with the system they DID describe that haven't been mentioned: (1) GPS doesn't work well near the walls of canyons. The positions reported can be off by a considerable distance. This problem probably also applies in the steel and glass canyons of cities. (2) Consumer grade GPS receivers have problems acquiring satalites in forested areas. The same problem probably will also occur in skyscrapers. Using your portable in some client's office will involve shoving an antenna out the non-openable window. With these problems, I just can't see GPS authentication being popular for the masses. For some military and industrial uses it may solve a real problem. Regards - Bill ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bill Frantz | The CDA means | Periwinkle -- Computer Consulting (408)356-8506 | lost jobs and | 16345 Englewood Ave. frantz@netcom.com | dead teenagers | Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA