Enhancement of Security of Key Distribution Protocols against Intruder Attacks in the Middle of a Communication Channel
Purpose: Diffie - Hellman algorithm is widely used in many key distribution protocols including IP-telephony protocols. However the protocol is unstable against an active intruder attack in a communication channel resulting in discrediting generated key material. The goal of the paper is to develop methods to enhance security of key distribution protocols based on Diffie - Hellman protocol. Methods: There have been studied particularities of package distribution between different nodes of the global Internet web in different cities using several communication providers. Results: There have been carried out estimates of probability of matching pairs and triplets of paths in the global network between different cities using several communication operators. There has been stipulated an approach to enhance security of key distribution protocols by means of distribute message transmission through two or three independent channels in the case when correspondents do not have a shared secret. The paper has revealed techniques to detect and to decrease influence of intruder actions against performance of key distribution protocols. There have been presented estimates of probabilities of a successful attack, an active intruder attack detection and successful generation of a shared secret. Practical relevance: The research results allow to enhance security of the existing key distribution protocols.