IronKey Technology - Internet Authentication
The World's Most Secure Flash Drive
Online authentication, the process of remotely identifying and verifying users, is an integral part of IronKey's security architecture. As it pertains to computer security, authentication works to verify a user based on his digital identity credentials.
IronKey brings a whole new level of authentication to your Internet experience, giving you the upper hand in the cybersecurity arms race.
Password Protection
It starts with the onboard IronKey Identity Manager. As you visit your online sites, the Identity Manager will ask you if you want it to remember your usernames and passwords. These are then stored with hardware encryption on the IronKey drive.
When you wish to log back into one of your accounts, the Identity Manager compares the website that you are visiting with the website where you originally entered your password. If they match, the IdentityManager enters your password for you without you having to type it in. If they do not match, then you may be on a phishing site, and the Password Manager will not enter the password for you.
This gives you simple but effective protection against phishing attacks and spyware that tracks your keystrokes.
Strong Authentication
Your IronKey supports advanced cryptographic authentication using strong PKI key pairs generated in the IronKey Cryptochip. When you log into my.ironkey.com from your device, it uses these unique keys as your digital identity credentials. This locks down your account so that you must have both your IronKey and your password in order to gain access. In other words, no one but you can access your online IronKey account, even if someone stole your IronKey or your password. As banks and other websites begin to deploy two-factor authentication, they will allow you to use a username, password, and an IronKey or other authentication device to ensure that only you can log into your account.
Secure Access to my.ironkey.com
You can manage your IronKey devices and security settings on my.ironkey.com. The my.ironkey.com website requires strong authentication for full access. This ensures that people cannot get onto your account without having your password AND your IronKey. In the event that you ever lose your IronKey, you can still access the site in Safe Mode which is a restricted mode with limited functionality. This is useful for marking your IronKey as lost, or recovering a forgotten password.
Accessing my.ironkey.com without your IronKey entails additional authentication methods used at some of the world's largest financial institutions.
Mutual Authentication
Mutual authentication, where a secret image and phrase are shown before you enter your password, is used to assure you that you are at the actual IronKey site and not a phishing site. Similarly, all emails sent to you regarding your IronKey account use mutual authentication so that you can be confident the email is really from IronKey before you open the email.
Real-Time Fraud Heuristics
A real-time anonymized data analysis is run every time you attempt to login without your IronKey. If any factor looks suspicious or corresponds with known fraud indicators, supplemental authentication, such as secret questions, may be used to further verify your identity claim.
Out-of-Band Authentication
Out-of-band authentication, such as when verification codes are sent via email, is used to raise the bar and make online attacks all the more difficult. This gives you added peace of mind in knowing that it takes more than just a simple password to access your account.