Internet Key Exchange facts for kids
Internet Key Exchange (IKE or IKEv2) is a special set of rules, called a protocol, that computers use to set up a secure connection. Think of it like a secret handshake that allows two computers to talk to each other safely on the internet.
IKE helps create a "security association" (SA) for something called IPsec. IPsec is a way to make sure that information sent over the internet is private and hasn't been changed.
IKE uses a clever method called a Diffie-Hellman key exchange. This helps the computers create a "shared secret" key. This secret key is then used to make other special cryptographic keys. These keys are like secret codes that scramble and unscramble messages, keeping them safe from snoopers.
To make sure they are talking to the right computer, IKE uses special techniques. These can be public key methods, which are like digital IDs, or a "pre-shared key," which is a secret password both computers already know. This process is called mutual authentication, meaning both sides prove who they are.
IKE was built using ideas from an older system called the Oakley protocol.
Contents
How IKE Works
Imagine you want to send a secret message to a friend. You need a secret code that only you and your friend know. IKE does something similar for computers.
First, two computers want to talk securely. They use IKE to agree on a secret code without anyone else listening in. This is the "Diffie-Hellman key exchange" part. It's a bit like two people mixing colors separately to get a shared secret color, without ever showing their original colors.
Once they have this shared secret, they use it to create even more secret keys. These keys are then used by IPsec to:
- Encrypt (scramble) the data so only the right computer can read it.
- Authenticate (check) that the data hasn't been changed along the way.
This whole process makes sure that your online activities, like browsing websites or sending emails, stay private and secure.
History of IKE
The Internet Key Exchange protocol was first created in November 1998. It was defined by a group called the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). They published the details in special documents known as Request for Comments (RFCs).
The first versions were:
- RFC 2407: This explained how IPsec would use IKE.
- RFC 2408: This described the Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol (ISAKMP), which IKE uses.
- RFC 2409: This specifically defined the first version of IKE.
Later, IKE was improved and updated to version two, known as IKEv2. This happened in December 2005 with RFC 4306. Since then, more updates and features have been added through other RFCs, like RFC 4301, which talks about the overall security for the Internet Protocol. New RFCs are still being added as technology changes and new needs arise.
The organization that oversees the IETF is called The Internet Society (ISOC). They make sure that these important internet standards are available for everyone to use freely.
Related pages
The following are some open-source versions of IKEv2 that people can use:
See also
In Spanish: Internet key exchange para niños
