Wildcard Preshared Keys

The final type of preshared key classification is the wildcard preshared key. This type of key does not have an IP address or group assigned to it and can be used by any device holding the key to establish an IPSec connection with your VPN concentrator. When you set up your concentrator to use wildcard preshared keys, every device connecting to the concentrator must also use preshared keys. If any device is compromised, you must change the key for all the devices in your network. This type of key is also open to man-in-the-middle attacks and should not be used for site-to-site applications.

NOTE Man-in-the-middle attacks happen when an intruder has access to data packets that are in transit between connection endpoints. The intruder can then modify information within the packets in an attempt to gain access to the endpoints or for some other nefarious purpose. The intruder might just extract information from the packets. Obtaining a wildcard preshared key this way would permit an attacker to establish a VPN connection to the host from any other system.

Continue reading here: Configuring the Private LAN Interface

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