USING TCP TO AUTHENTICATE IP SOURCE ADDRESSES

A method for authenticating communication traffic includes intercepting a request directed over a network from a source address to open a connection to a target computer in accordance with a handshake procedure specified by a predetermined communication protocol. A reply to the request that deviates from the specified handshake procedure is sent to the source address. A response from the source address to the reply is analyzed in order to make an assessment of legitimacy of the source address. Upon determining, based on the assessment, that the source address is legitimate, the target computer is permitted to complete the handshake procedure so as to open the connection with the source address.