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Orientador: Ailton Akira Shinoda / Co-orientador: Christiane Marie Schweitzer / Banca: Antonio Marco Cossi / Banca: Ed'Wilson Tavares Ferreira / Resumo: O protocolo de resolução de endereços (ARP) é usado para mapear endereços IP a endereços MAC em redes locais. Este protocolo possui algumas vulnerabilidades de segurança e uma delas é ataque Man-in-the-Middle (MITM), em que o cache ARP permite a um host interceptar pacotes trocados entre dois outros hosts. O conceito de Redes Definidas por Software (SDNs) representam uma abordagem inovadora na área de redes de computadores, uma vez que propõe um novo modelo para o controle de repasse e roteamento dos pacotes de dados que navegam na Internet. Uma das principais características deste novo paradigma é a capacidade de programar funcionalidades nos controladores de rede para gerenciar o tráfego. Este trabalho apresenta o modulo L3-ARPSec, um conjunto de instruções escritas em linguagem de programação Python que propõe uma maneira de controlar a troca de mensagens ARP e também mitigar o ataque MITM em redes locais. O módulo gerencia as requisições e respostas ARP entre todos dispositivos da rede e não permite o envenenamento do cache ARP. Depois de apresentados alguns conceitos do paradigma SDN, a estrutura do protocolo ARP e como o ataque MITM ocorre, o modulo L3-ARPSec é explicado em detalhes e os resultados de diversos testes executados são mostrados / Abstract: The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is used to map IP addresses to MAC addresses in local area networks. This protocol has some security vulnerabilities and one of them is the Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack, a way to poisoning the ARP cache that allows a host to intercept packets switched between two other hosts. Software-Defined Networks (SDNs) represent an innovative approach in the area of computer networks, since they propose a new model to control forwarding and routing data packets that navigate the World Wide Web. One of the main features of this new paradigm is the ability to program functionalities in network controllers to manage the traffic. This study presents the module L3-ARPSec, a set of instructions written in the Python programming language that proposes a way to control the switching of ARP messages and also mitigates the MITM attack in local area networks. The module manages the ARP request, reply messages between all network devices and does not permit the ARP cache poisoning. After presenting some concepts of the SDN paradigm, the ARP protocol structure and how MITM attacks occurs, the L3-ARPSec module is explained in detail and the results of several tests performed are displayed / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-06T13:03:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-07-24. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-10-06T13:18:39Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000849444.pdf: 1836624 bytes, checksum: d3b670920a0ae185565104f5315bef2a (MD5) / O protocolo de resolução de endereços (ARP) é usado para mapear endereços IP a endereços MAC em redes locais. Este protocolo possui algumas vulnerabilidades de segurança e uma delas é ataque Man-in-the-Middle (MITM), em que o cache ARP permite a um host interceptar pacotes trocados entre dois outros hosts. O conceito de Redes Definidas por Software (SDNs) representam uma abordagem inovadora na área de redes de computadores, uma vez que propõe um novo modelo para o controle de repasse e roteamento dos pacotes de dados que navegam na Internet. Uma das principais características deste novo paradigma é a capacidade de programar funcionalidades nos controladores de rede para gerenciar o tráfego. Este trabalho apresenta o modulo L3-ARPSec, um conjunto de instruções escritas em linguagem de programação Python que propõe uma maneira de controlar a troca de mensagens ARP e também mitigar o ataque MITM em redes locais. O módulo gerencia as requisições e respostas ARP entre todos dispositivos da rede e não permite o envenenamento do cache ARP. Depois de apresentados alguns conceitos do paradigma SDN, a estrutura do protocolo ARP e como o ataque MITM ocorre, o modulo L3-ARPSec é explicado em detalhes e os resultados de diversos testes executados são mostrados / The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is used to map IP addresses to MAC addresses in local area networks. This protocol has some security vulnerabilities and one of them is the Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack, a way to poisoning the ARP cache that allows a host to intercept packets switched between two other hosts. Software-Defined Networks (SDNs) represent an innovative approach in the area of computer networks, since they propose a new model to control forwarding and routing data packets that navigate the World Wide Web. One of the main features of this new paradigm is the ability to program functionalities in network controllers to manage the traffic. This study presents the module L3-ARPSec, a set of instructions written in the Python programming language that proposes a way to control the switching of ARP messages and also mitigates the MITM attack in local area networks. The module manages the ARP request, reply messages between all network devices and does not permit the ARP cache poisoning. After presenting some concepts of the SDN paradigm, the ARP protocol structure and how MITM attacks occurs, the L3-ARPSec module is explained in detail and the results of several tests performed are displayed

Ph.D. / Many organisations are starting to make large parts of their information resources publicly accessible. For example, many organisations publish information using the Internet. Some organisations allow non-employees to connect to their systems and retrieve information - many banks allow customers to retrieve account statements via the Internet. There is a trend towards more open information systems and more distributed processing such as client/server processing. The above are just some of the trends in computer information processing that creates new and complex problems in providing information systems that are both secure and manageable. To add to the complexity of the information security problem, organisations use the Internet to conduct some of their business and use many different applications, each with its own unique access control mechanisms. Central management of information security in a heterogeneous and distributed environments, such as the Internet has become a nightmare. There is a need for an information security model that will allow organisations to make use of the new trends in information processing, but still have confidence that they have adequate security and that the management of their information security systems is fairly easy. In this thesis we propose a model that satisfies the above requirements. We call this model the Intelligent Security Agent Model (ISAM). The ISAM model is based on two technologies: intelligent software agents and distributed objects. The main component of the model is Intelligent Security Agents that act as security brokers for its users in a distributed environment. In chapter 2 of the thesis, we design an Intelligent Security Agent which provides various information security services in open client/server environments. The Intelligent Security Agent Model addresses certain problems/requirements, such as single sign-on, in information security. These problems and possible solutions are described in chapter 4 to chapter 10 of this thesis. An Intelligent Security Agent must be protected from unauthorised modification, theft, etc. Chapter 3 shows how an Intelligent Security Agent is secured by implementing it as a distributed object. We show that the combination of intelligent software agents and distributed objects creates an agent that was not possible before, and solves many information security problems.In short, this thesis documents the results of a study in computer information security. The result of the study is a new information security model in which intelligent software agents and distributed objects are combined to create a security agent which acts on behalf of a user in open environments such as client/server systems and the Internet. The agent provides a set of services to its user and handles all information security related requests on behalf of its user.

M.Sc.(Computer Science) / The aim of this dissertation (referred to as thesis in the rest of the document) is to present authentication techniques that can be used to provide secure Internet commerce. The thesis presents techniques that can be used to authenticate human users at logon, as well as techniques that are used to authenticate user's PC and the host system during communication. In so doing, the thesis presents cryptography as the most popular approach to provide information security. Chapter 1 introduces the authentication problem, the purpose and the structure of the thesis. The inadequate security of the Internet prevents companies and users to conduct commerce over the Internet. Authentication is one of the means of providing secure Internet commerce. - Chapter 2 provides an overview of the Internet by presenting the Internet history, Internet infrastructure and the current services that are available on the Internet. The chapter defines Internet commerce and presents some of the barriers to the Internet commerce. Chapter 3 provides an overview of network and internetwork security model. The purpose of this chapter is to put authentication into perspective, in relation to the overall security model. Security attacks, security services and security mechanisms are defined in this chapter. The IBM Security Architecture is also presented. Chapter 4 presents cryptography as the popular approach to information security. The conventional encryption and public-key encryption techniques are used to provide some of the security services described in chapter 3. Chapter 5 presents various schemes that can be used to provide computer-to-computer authentication. These schemes are grouped into the following authentication functions: message encryption, cryptographic checksums, hash functions and digital signatures. Chapter 6 differentiates between one-way authentication schemes and mutual authentication schemes. The applicability of each approach depends on the communicating parties. Chapter 7 presents some of the popular and widely used open-systems technologies Internet protocols, which employ some of the schemes discussed in chapter 5 and chapter 6. These include the SSL, PCT, SHTTP, Kerberos, SESAME and SET. Chapter 8 discusses some of the enabling technologies that are used to provide human user authentication in a computer system. The password technology, the biometric technologies and the smart card technology are discussed. The considerations of selecting a specific technology are also discussed. Chapter 9 presents some of the techniques that can be used to authentication Internet users (human users) over the Internet. The techniques discussed are passwords, knowledge-based technique, voice recognition, smart cards, cellular based technique, and the technique that integrates Internet banking. Chapter 10 defines criteria on which the Internet user authentication techniques presented in chapter 9 can be measured against. The evaluation of each of the techniques is made against the specified criteria. In fact, this chapter concludes the thesis. Chapter 11 provides case studies on two of the techniques evaluated in chapter 10. Specifically, the insurance case study and the medical aid case studies are presented.

D.Litt. et Phil. / It is said that computer security is like getting into bed with an elephant. You know you have a problem, but you can't get your arms around it! Looking at security from a distributed point of view makes this elephant seem much bigger! The growth of the Internet (see chapter 2) is also not very comforting to computer security specialists. Companies want to start utilising the Internet for their business transactions, while the man on the street wants to use it for what they deem necessary or convenient. It is becoming more and more common placed to buy items from virtual storefronts by making use of the Internet. [17,20,23] Literature, as well as the World Wide Web has supplied us with information [34] regarding the "war" between the IT Security Professional and the hacker community. It is quite surprising to see the large number of hacker sites on the Internet [15,16,21] that publish information regarding hacked sites, as well as tools and techniques that can assist almost anyone in accomplishing some of these sometimes, daring feats. If this information is studied and if we keep in mind that some of the more serious hacking attempts are being kept secret for reasons like loss of business or credibility, it might be deduced that the hacker community is always a step or two ahead of Security Professionals. It is the purpose of this thesis to present a model that will ensure secure, anonymous communication across the Internet This model is not aimed at replacing current technologies. It merely attempts to provide an alternative method for safe communication across public networks, like the Internet. The model will make use of a number of existing technologies in conjunction with one another to achieve its goal of secure, anonymous communication. The technologies that will be used and how will be discussed briefly in this chapter.

The need for increased national cyber security situational awareness is evident from the growing number of published national cyber security strategies. Governments are progressively seen as responsible for cyber security, but at the same time increasingly constrained by legal, privacy and resource considerations. Infrastructure and services that form part of the national cyber domain are often not under the control of government, necessitating the need for information sharing between governments and commercial partners. While sharing of security information is necessary, it typically requires considerable time to be implemented effectively. In an effort to decrease the time and effort required for cyber security situational awareness, this study considered commercially available data sources relating to a national cyber domain. Open source information is typically used by attackers to gather information with great success. An understanding of the data provided by these sources can also afford decision makers the opportunity to set priorities more effectively. Through the use of an adapted Joint Directors of Laboratories (JDL) fusion model, an experimental system was implemented that visualized the potential that open source intelligence could have on cyber situational awareness. Datasets used in the validation of the model contained information obtained from eight different data sources over a two year period with a focus on the South African .co.za sub domain. Over a million infrastructure devices were examined in this study along with information pertaining to a potential 88 million vulnerabilities on these devices. During the examination of data sources, a severe lack of information regarding the human aspect in cyber security was identified that led to the creation of a novel Personally Identifiable Information detection sensor (PII). The resultant two million records pertaining to PII in the South African domain were incorporated into the data fusion experiment for processing. The results of this processing are discussed in the three case studies. The results offered in this study aim to highlight how data fusion and effective visualization can serve to move national cyber security from a primarily reactive undertaking to a more pro-active model.

M.Comm. / The principal aim of the present dissertation is to determine the nature of an electronicbanking environment, to determine the threats within such an environment and the security functionality needed to ward off these threats. Security solutions for each area at risk will be provided in short. The main focus of the dissertation will fall on the security protocols that can be used as solutions to protect a banking system. In the dissertation, indication will also be given of what the security protocols, in their turn, depend on to provide protection to a banking system. There are several security protocols that can be used to secure a banking system. The problem, however, is to determine which protocol will provide the best security for a bank in a specific application. This dissertation is also aimed at providing a general security framework that banks could use to evaluate various security protocols which could be implemented to secure a banking system. Such framework should indicate which security protocols will provide a bank in a certain banking environment with the best protection against security threats. It should also indicate which protocols could be used in combination with others to provide the best security.

Stolen personally identifiable information (PII) can be abused to perform a multitude of crimes in the victim’s name. For instance, credit card information can be used in drug business, Social Security Numbers and health ID’s can be used in insurance fraud, and passport data can be used for human trafficking or in terrorism. Even Information typically considered publicly available (e.g. name, birthday, phone number, etc.) can be used for unauthorized registration of services and generation of new accounts using the victim’s identity (unauthorized account creation). Accordingly, modern phishing campaigns have outlived the goal of account takeover and are trending towards more sophisticated goals. While criminal investigations in the real world evolved over centuries, digital forensics is only a few decades into the art. In digital forensics, threat analysts have pioneered the field of enhanced attribution - a study of threat intelligence that aims to find a link between attacks and attackers. Their findings provide valuable information for investigators, ultimately bolster takedown efforts and help determine the proper course of legal action. Despite an overwhelming offer of security solutions today suggesting great threat analysis capabilities, vendors only share attack signatures and additional intelligence remains locked into the vendor’s ecosystem. Victims often hesitate to disclose attacks, fearing reputation damage and the accidental revealing of intellectual property. This phenomenon limits the availability of postmortem analysis from real-world attacks and often forces third-party investigators, like government agencies, to mine their own data. In the absence of industry data, it can be promising to actively infiltrate fraudsters in an independent sting operation. Intuitively, undercover agents can be used to monitor online markets for illegal offerings and another common industry practice is to trap attackers in monitored sandboxes called honeypots. Using honeypots, investigators lure and deceive an attacker into believing an attack was successful while simultaneously studying the attacker’s behavior. Insights gathered from this process allow investigators to examine the latest attack vectors, methodology, and overall trends. For either approach, investigators crave additional information about the attacker, such that they can know what to look for. In the context of phishing attacks, it has been repeatedly proposed to "shoot tracers into the cloud", by stuffing phishing sites with fake information that can later be recognized in one way or another. However, to the best of our knowledge, no existing solution can keep up with modern phishing campaigns, because they focus on credential stuffing only, while modern campaigns steal more than just user credentials — they increasingly target PII instead.We observe that the use of HTML form input fields is a commonality among both credential stealing and identity stealing phishing sites and we propose to thoroughly evaluate this feature for the detection, triage and attribution of phishing attacks. This process includes extracting the phishing site’s target PII from its HTML <label> tags, investigating how JavaScript code stylometry can be used to fingerprint a phishing site for its detection, and determining commonalities between the threat actor’s personal styles. Our evaluation shows that <input> tag identifiers, and <label> tags are the most important features for this machine learning classification task, lifting the accuracy from 68% without these features to up to 92% when including them. We show that <input> tag identifiers and code stylometry can also be used to decide if a phishing site uses cloaking. Then we propose to build the first denial-of-phishing engine (DOPE) that handles all phishing; both Credential Stealing and PII theft. DOPE analyzes HTML <label> tags to learn which information to provide, and we craft this information in a believable manner, meaning that it can be expected to pass credibility tests by the phisher.

This thesis outlines the creation of a secure, real time, system independent, Internet based auctioning application. The system has been developed to meet the needs of today's stringent reqUirements on secure Internet based applications. To attain this goal, the latest cryptographic algorithms and development platforms have been used. The result is a JAVA based server and client auctioning application. The client application is designed to run In any common web browser, and the server to execute on any JAVA enabled operating system with a web server and Internet connection. The real time system uses a relatively secure hybrid cryptosystem for communication. This involves the use of RSA for secure key exchange, and RC6 and MARS for secure communication. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal,Durban, 2000.