Re: International Domain Name [IDN] support in modern browsers allows attackers to spoof domain name URLs + SSL certs.
On Wed, 16 Feb 2005, bkfsec wrote:
The local BBB is accountable to local laws. CAs are spread throughout the
world and are global in nature. As a member of a local community, I can
choose to familiarize myself with those regulations, understand them, and use
them against the BBB if they violate their trust. I can also choose to go on
a crusade against the local BBB.
I think that deep down we're agreeing on the point that they're inherently
untrustworthy. My point in saying "if you take my meaning" was to hi-light
that rather than focus on this relatively minor nitpicking of point. I'm not
the first one in this thread to bring up the BBB. So take your point up with
the person who did bring it up, please.
Actually I'm just trying to be explicitly clear about the path that
you're using for trust. The BBB just happens to be the example that
you'd used as an organization that you'd trust more than your average CA.
As I'm reading you, you're saying that you:
(1) trust establishments that you can see and touch more
than you trust establishments that you can't see or touch.
(2) trust establishments that are bound by a legal system that
you're familiar with more than establishments that are bound
by a legal system that you aren't familiar with.
IMHO the question is more about what your particular grounds for trust
happen to be than whether CAs are all/partially/not trustworthy - or
if the BBB in your area happens to be trustworthy.
Personally I'd really debate the concept that physical proximity is
in any respect grounds for trust - and that familiarity implies the same.
I'd be far more inclined to suggest using consistent long term behaviour
as a predictor - and implementing a system where significant incentives
towards desired behaviour exist.
cheers!
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"A cat spends her life conflicted between a deep, passionate and profound
desire for fish and an equally deep, passionate and profound desire to
avoid getting wet. This is the defining metaphor of my life right now."