How Secure are JavaScript Password Generators?
Many people use online services to generate secure passwords.
There is this idea that since your web browser is the one generating your passwords locally on your computer (via JavaScript) instead of someone else’s computer (e.g., web server), this is supposed to keep someone from getting a hold of your password.
Is this really the case? Are passwords generated locally with JavaScript really secure from being stolen?
Technically, no. Why? Well there are a few reasons why generated passwords (via JavaScript) can be compromised.
the [Math.Random] JavaScript function – Any JavaScript password generator that uses this function should be considered insecure. This is because the Math.Random function does not provide cryptographically-secure results.
A good, secure alternative JavaScript function to use is window.crypto.getRandomValues(array).
Summary: Using any JavaScript password generator that makes use of the Math.Random function is not wise, since this JavaScript function was never intended for high-security situations.
web browser add-ons – Many people use web browser add-ons (such as Ad-blockers) for their everyday browsing. What most people are unaware of is that many of these add-ons have permissions that allow the add-on to view the content of the web pages the user is viewing.
The problem? If someone has installed a malicious add-on, their “secure” JavaScript generated password would have been sent to the add-on’s creator. Now I am not implying that every single web browser add-on does this, but there is a very high potential that this can happen.
Would only using open-source browser add-ons be a safe option? Well open-source add-ons would definitely lower the chance that someone would get away with spying on you. However open-source projects do not have a spotless security track record either. There is still some risk.
Even Mozilla themselves warn about this problem with web browser add-ons (also called extensions).
Update 12/05/2019: Here is another example of what I am talking about (https://www.zdnet.com/article/mozilla-removes-avast-and-avg-extensions-from-add-on-portal-over-snooping-claims/).
Summary: Several add-ons have the potential to spy on their users (including locally generated JavaScript passwords).
computer malware – This reason is arguably the most common cause of compromised passwords…malware. Malware has the potential to do anything it can to your computer (including reading your computer’s clipboard – what you copy & paste). This will instantly compromise your JavaScript generated password (and any other sensitive information on your computer, e.g. credit card numbers).
While Windows-based systems have more malware available for them, Mac and Linux are not completely in the clear either. As more people start using these other OSes, more and more malware will be created for them.
Android (the very popular Linux OS used on smartphones all over the world) has a good number of malware created for it.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190819041226/https://www.cyber.nj.gov/threat-profiles/android-malware-variants
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190819041506/https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-android-malware-replaces-legitimate-apps-with-ad-infested-doppelgangers/
- https://www.symantec.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/hidden-app-malware-google-play
Summary: Computer malware has the potential to instantly compromise your JavaScript passwords.
surveillance software – Some people have to use computers provided by their employer. Some employers put surveillance software onto their computers to track and monitor their employees’ usage of those systems.
The tracking software will monitor your computer screen, keystrokes, what you browse, install, etc. In other words, any generated password (JavaScript or no) on these computers will be compromised. It is advised to use non-work computers for generating passwords, or anything else that is not work related.
Summary: Assume any work computer is being tracked. Always use your own personal computer for anything non-work related.
So does this mean that I should never use any online password generators at all?
No, but just keep in mind that a JavaScript password generator, while technically a little more safe than having your password generated on a server and sent across the Internet (using TLS encryption), does not really provide a lot of extra security.
Summary: Using JavaScript (or anything else) to locally generate passwords on your computer, cannot keep your passwords completely safe from being compromised.
Posted in Android, Computers, Internet and Servers, Operating Systems, Programming, Security, Software
Dynamic and Static IP Address Differences
To access the Internet, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns you an IP address. This allows you to talk to other computers on the Internet. Most people do not even think about their IP address they have been assigned, much less what type of IP address they have.
There are two kinds of IP addresses, static and dynamic.
Static addresses never change on you. Even after many months (or even years), the IP address you have been assigned stays the same. Dynamic addresses, on the other hand, usually change every few weeks (or months). Most people probably are assigned a dynamic address for a month or two at a time.
Pros of Static Addresses
- Allows you to easily host web services (e.g., email, DNS, websites)
- Helps prevent websites from mistaking you for being an abusive user. This is because when using a dynamic IP address, someone else had previously used that address, and may have been committing abusive behavior online. However, when using a static address, you (and whoever else has access) are the only ones using your address.
- Allows for a more stable VPN connection, because a dynamic IP may change any moment, and this will break the VPN connection.
Cons of Static Addresses
- ISPs usually require you to purchase a “business” Internet package to be able to obtain a static IP. This may cost more money per month than a typical residential Internet package.
- Everywhere you go online can be easily tracked, since you use the same IP address everywhere you go online (a VPN can help with this problem).
- If someone starts constantly abusing your IP address (e.g., DDoS attack), you likely will not be able to quickly request a new static IP address from the ISP.
- If you have a unique host-name assigned to your static IP (necessary to host an email server), you will have less privacy than someone who has a typical residential, dynamic IP address without a custom host-name.
Pros of Dynamic Addresses
- Usually can easily change your assigned IP address (helpful to stop someone who is abusing your computers; e.g. DDoS attack).
- Since your IP address is “generic” (used by several other people), you are more anonymous than a static IP constantly browsing the web.
Cons of Dynamic Addresses
- Hosting web services will not be very stable, since you are using a dynamic IP address that may change anytime on you (note: using a “dynamic IP” DNS service is more of a “jury-rig” than a proper solution).
- Some web services may think you are a trouble-maker, since someone else may have had your IP address previously and used it to abuse web services.
- ISPs may deny you the privilege of running any web services unless you have a “business”-grade Internet package (most people using a dynamic IP do not have a business account at their ISP).
Posted in Computers, Internet and Servers, Operating Systems, Security, VPN
What are DNS Resolvers and How Do They Work?
This short post is about how a DNS resolver works. I also quickly cover the best way to obtain a DNS resolving service.
Please note that I am not going into the specifics on how to setup a DNS resolver. There are plenty of online tutorials for you to follow if you wish to pursue that option.
What is a DNS resolver? Simply put, a DNS resolver contacts a domain name’s DNS server and asks it for information.
A DNS resolver will also do something called caching. When a DNS resolver caches, it is “remembering” the information it previously obtained from a DNS server.
A DNS resolver that caches can save a lot of time that would be wasted looking up a domain name that had just been looked up earlier.
DNS caching is like writing down information on a sticky note, so you can quickly look at it later, instead of having to ask the person for the info all over again.
Here is a simplified example of how a DNS resolver works:
1. Alex types into his web browser example.com
2. Alex’s web browser then contacts the DNS resolver (that his computer is set to use).
3. The DNS resolver goes to a root server and get the IP address for the TLD (e.g., com, net, org, etc.) server it needs to access.
3. The DNS resolver then goes to ns1.example.com (the DNS name-server that the TLD server provided), and asks the name-server for the IP address of example.com
4. The DNS resolver then relays the information it receives to Alex’s computer. In addition, the DNS resolver caches the retrieved information for later use.
5. Alex’s web browser now knows where example.com is located (the IP address), and starts retrieving the website.
Posted in Computers, Internet and Servers, Operating Systems
When Should You Update Software?
When you have a new software (or operating system) you can upgrade to, there are a few things to check out first.
(Not an exhaustive list)
- Does it have any features that are beneficial to my daily work?
- Does it have any features that have been removed?
- Will the currently running software work with the new OS, or have people complained about the software not working correctly?
- Will your hardware work with the new software?
- How much downtime will an upgrade incur?
- If a lot of downtime will occur, is there a way to minimize the downtime?
Whenever you want to use a newer OS, you should always perform a fresh install on the computer. Never just do an in-place upgrade. This is a very good way to mess things up on the computer. Even if the in-place upgrade (not a fresh install) seems to work fine, there may be small issues that will pop-up later that you are not aware of. Then you will wish you had done a fresh install in the first place. 🙂
Also, whenever you want to update a piece of software, always make sure you are using a “stable” release of the software. Never run Beta, RC, Alpha, or any “not finished” software in production. This can cause you grief that you could have avoided.
Posted in Computers, Internet and Servers, Operating Systems, Programming, Software