02 May, 2014

Why is Java considered as the most secure language?

The development language called Java is used mainly for the creation of software which may be used regularly. Most people have downloaded some program or the other that requires Java runtime. The design of the platform puts strong emphasis on the security factor. The core of the language is type-safe, providing automatic garbage collection to enhance the application code’s robustness. A verification mechanism and secure class loading ensures the execution of legitimate Java codes only. Initially the platform version resulted in the creation of safe environment to run codes that are potentially untrusted like Java applets that have been downloaded from public networks. With the widening as well as growth of the range of deployment, there has been corresponding evolvement of its security architecture so that a bigger range of services can be supported. The architecture constitutes of a large number of tools, APIs as well as algorithms, protocols and mechanisms that may be implemented.

The platform has a set of APIs that span major security areas counting public key infrastructure, cryptography, secure communication, access control as well as authentication.

Public Key Infrastructure- PKI for short, this refers to a framework which enables secure information exchange through public key cryptography. Identities are bound to digital certificates, providing a means to verify authenticity of certificates. Certificates, keys, trusted Certification Authorities which generate as well digitally sign certificates and public key encryptions are encompassed by PKI. It has two tools in-built called keytool which is used for the creation as well as management of key stores and jarsigner which is used for signing or verifying signatures of JAR files.

Cryptography- This framework helps to access as well as develop cryptographic functionality. There are some APIs which render many kinds of cryptographic services that include symmetric bulk encryption, message digest algorithm, symmetric stream encryption, digital signature algorithm, elliptic curve cryptology, password based encryption, key generators, key agreement algorithms and message authentication codes.

Secure communication- Data travelling across network is susceptible to security risks since anybody can access it; it is especially a risky business if the data is concerned with private information like credit card numbers or passwords. So the data must be made unintelligible so that unauthorized parties cannot understand it. You should also ensure that the data is being sent to the appropriate party without any intentional or unintentional modification during transport. For the best secure communication, cryptography acts as a base through SSL/TLS, SASL, Kerberos and GSS-API.

Access control- This ensures that the Java platform is protected from access to sensitive application code or sensitive resources. A security manager mediates all decisions for access control. APIs that help in this process are permissions, access control enforcement and policy.

Authentication- The process helps in the determination of a user’s identity when a Java program is being executed. Sometimes login module plug-ins while in some cases cryptography related services, are needed for authentication.

Bytecode- After successful java program compilation, a class file is generated by java compiler with .class extension containing the program’s Bytecodes. The generated Bytecodes are secure which may be run on any JVM containing machine. There is a verifier which is invoked so as to ensure the execution of just legitimate bytecodes in Java runtime. It ensures that bytecodes and Java language conform to each other so that namespace restrictions or rules are not violated. Verifier also looks for stack overflows or underflows, memory management violations as well as illegal data typecasts. After verification, the execution may be conducted.

Java is often considered as the most secure language amongst all other languages. However, still some people feel that it is not secure since the plug-ins pose some problems. In fact, they certainly do that, but the inherent nature of the language is very secure. The security infrastructure is very strong with so many APIs and tools which contribute towards making it more secure than many other languages.

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