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Hiya all.
First post, so I hope you can help.
I'm setting up a secure server that is not going to be connected to the net but will be accessed by individual modem dial up.
Is there a program out there that will allow access to shared folders only if it recognises the number that the person is calling from? That's on top of password checks etc.
Thanks in advance.
Colin
Not aware of any that are available, I guess you could write something in VB though. Why don't you have the RAS call you back. That is an option built into windows and you can add your number to the call back authentication, then use windows security to lock down the folder in question.
Sounds like you just want a RAS server whether that be Windows NT4 or 2000 etc, what OS are you using ? in 2000 it is RADIUS.
With RAS you just specify the call back option which also limits costs to the user and is incurred by the company.
You can specifya specific number to dial back not a problem.
A bit of advice.
Do not use shared folders from a dial-up connection....far too risky in my opinion. You may want to take a look at some time of VPN solution.
Having a dial-up connection to a server is a bad idea in the first place.
I agree with iNViCTuS,
RAS servers have posed security issues through both war dialing and misconfiguration (to name just two). Also, data traversing the internet should be encypted so a VPN solution would be *much* more appropriate for business use.
I'm not sure what kind of money you have but for a few grand, these guys have a rock solid solution for VPN: www.v-one.com
--TH13
Use PCAnywhere for this..... It has a function that tells the host that if someone authenticates to the software then it is to hang up and dial the user back, (you tell it what number to dial). Thus, while invictus is correct that dial in to a server is not optimal at least the intruder will be disconnected and the phone will ring at your house......
I remembered to saw a long time ago a piece of software that can recognized the phone number. But I don't remember the name anymore (I used to be in ISP business more then 7 years ago). Do some Google research, you never know what on can find ;-)
BTW the callback function has some limitation. I saw lot of case where people use call forwarding (on cellphone most of the time) to bypass the callback function, or more exactly route the call where they want. This can also be use by a malicious user. This is a very complicated attack, but I can happen if the value of the data is high.
I would not be that reluctant to set up a RAS server. It does sound like what you are looking for, and as far as I remember, you can encrypt the traffic between the two end points. RAS can be insecure, but so can everything else. The point is to know exactly what you are doing before implementing your server. If you are a fairly security consciuos person and do all the necessary homework before rolling out a RAS server, you should have some success.Quote:
Originally posted here by thehorse13
I agree with iNViCTuS,
RAS servers have posed security issues through both war dialing and misconfiguration (to name just two). Also, data traversing the internet should be encypted so a VPN solution would be *much* more appropriate for business use.
I'm not sure what kind of money you have but for a few grand, these guys have a rock solid solution for VPN: www.v-one.com
--TH13
OK, now I'll show that I'm a newbie. Can someone direct me to some info on RAS servers?
I've had a look at pcanywhere and it looks like it'll do the job but the MD is very keen on dialup so that the server is completely separate from the net.
BTW I use programs at Orange that have CLI, that's what sparked the thought. And if they can do it, anyone can!
:confused:
RAS is M$'s Remote Access Server. It's built into Win2k Server. Most books that cover Win2k Server administration usually have a chapter or two on RAS.
Now when you say that this is not going to be connected to the net, do you mean the internet or your network? Is this going to be a way for your users to dial into your netowrk and access their folders, or is it going to be a stand alone box that serves a group of files to remote users?
If you're looking to impliment dial-up access for your network (and you have a Win2k domain) I would suggest RAS over PC anywhere. If this is a stand alone situation, then something like PC anywhere should do the trick.
Use the Call-back technique..
the server is requested to connect, it hangs up and dials a stored number, if the other machine answers you know it's the right terminal and you can drop of a session key or what not :)
Another argument to this is why use a RAS server and pay for toll calls when you can use an existing internet connection at no additional cost.Quote:
Originally posted here by tolstoy
I would not be that reluctant to set up a RAS server. It does sound like what you are looking for, and as far as I remember, you can encrypt the traffic between the two end points. RAS can be insecure, but so can everything else. The point is to know exactly what you are doing before implementing your server. If you are a fairly security consciuos person and do all the necessary homework before rolling out a RAS server, you should have some success.
I also don't buy the argument that a everything has it's weaknesses, so why not use a RAS server even with it's security limitations. No offense, but anyone who truly knows about would tell you that the goal of security is not to eliminate every potential vulnerability, but to simply minimize risk. Of course nothing is perfect, but some solutions are clearly better than others in terms of security.
Thanks for that Tolstoy. It is going to be a stand alone Server with Internet access from a completely separated PC so I think PCAnywhere is going to be the choice.
Thanks to everyone for their replies, and I'll probably be back.