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Java-powered iButton: supporting both WIN 2000 log-on and public key security for e-commerce

Key FobAs the PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) evolves, e-citizens need a safe place to store private keys for authentication, digital signing, and the safe exchange of information over the Internet. The Java-powered crypto iButton is a wearable Java computer for keeping your digital credentials secure and convenient. It gives end-point to end-point security to online communications even when the links are suspect. When it's time to present your credential for an Internet transaction, plug the 2-in-1 Fob in to the USB port the iButton's Java software swiftly and automatically interfaces with major PKI protocols. The Java-powered crypto iButton lets you:

  • Authenticate Web page access with SSL
  • Digitally sign and encrypt e-mail using S/MIME
  • Use one certificate for both Netscape Communicator (PKCS#11) and Internet Explorer (CSP) security protocols
  • Use built-in WIN2000 log-on authentication

Just touch and go to open an electronic door lock, log on to your computer securely, and initiate secure e-commerce transactions. The iButton also has abundant memory to store user profiles for all those Web sites that require registration. You can form-fill without keystroking and gain a new level of convenience to surfing the Internet.

Why choose Java-powered iButtons over other portable tokens?

Java-powered iButtons have been tested with leading Certificate Authorities(CA) such as RSA Keon, Microsoft WIN2000 Certificate Services, Netscape(CMS) Certificate Management System, Verisign, eCertify. If you do not see the certificate authority you require please email us as we may be validating others soon.
 
This powerful iButton is ideal as a personal, mobile data vault because of the following advantages:

  • The Java-powered iButton is physically secure hardware with a firewall to keep out digital access. It is also virtually tamperproof with FIPS 140-1 validation. The private keys are kept secret and the memory cannot be accessed without a secret you share with your iButton: its PIN.
     
  • The Java-powered iButton is physically rugged and wearable. You can wear a Java-powered iButton on the accessory of your choice, and it will take any abuse you can dish out. Choose a key fob, watch, wallet, metal card, or plastic badge. Or wear it as a ring, the ultimate token of a uniquely powerful tool: a very personal computer.
     
  • The iButton has a large memory capacity—up to 134 kbytes—room for many x.509 certificates. Storing all your credentials, business and personal, one iButton authenticates access to many physical and virtual entry ways. Nobody wants a pocket full of iButtons any more than a pocket full of cards.
     
  • iButtons can be used as smart cards that don't need an expensive reader. The iButton interface requires just one wire for both its power and network connection. The Blue Dot receptor plugs into a parallel, serial or USB port.
     
  • iButtons work with the new USB ports. Just snap a Java-powered iButton into a 2-in-1 USB Fob and plug the fob's handle directly into the USB port. Everything fits in the handle, so there is no cable for the notebook computer user. When you don't need USB, the iButton still works with Blue Dot receptors and touch-and-go door entry locks.

All iButton e-commerce solutions are based on open standards: Java, x.509 certificates, public key cryptography (RSA), Netscape PKCS-11, and Microsoft CSP.

What do I need to get started?

  1. Pick one of two different Java-powered iButton models:
    • Model 96 release 1.1: Stores one digital certificate with Cryptographic support for SHA-1, RSA, DES and triple DES cryptographic classes.
    • Model 96 release 2.2. Generates and stores up to 30 private keys and digital certificates. Supports SHA-1, RSA, DES and triple DES cryptographic classes.

  2. Choose how you want to wear your new Java computer. Browse the shopping cart for a ring, watch, key fob, metal card or the new 2-in-1 USB Fob.

  3. If you don't already have one, you will want a Connectivity Pack for your serial, parallel or USB port to communicate to the iButton:
    • Serial connectivity pack: DS9097U-009 + DS1402D-DR8
    • Parallel connectivity pack: DS1410E + DS1402D-DB8
    • USB port: DS1490F
    Note: If your environment is mixed between PCs and UNIX workstation, choose the serial pack. If you are only using an IBM-compatible PCs, either will work.

  4. Plug in your Blue Dot receptor, touch the Java-powered iButton to the interface, and download software for either Netscape (PKCS#11) or Microsoft (CSP). The same X.509 certificate is interoperable between Netscape Communicator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer, and Dallas provides software support for both.

  5. Beta release of Win2000 Log-on software. The 1-Wire® address of any iButton–including the inexpensive DS1990A–can be used for Win2000 log-on. A GINA dll serves as a layer between the user and the normal Windows log-on layer. If WIN2000 deployment will also include digital certificates in a PKI infrastructure, use the Java-powered iButton, which provides support for Microsoft (CSP) and Netscape (PKCS#11) for signed/encrypted e-mail and SSL authentication. Future versions of the Win2000 Log-on support will include the ability to use digital certificate log-on.

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