Apparatus and method for authenticating access to a network resource

摘要

A device for providing access to a remote site is disclosed. Access to the device is gained through an authentication process during which a user password and biometrics are provided to the device. The device also includes a security feature such that only authorized users of the specific device can gain access to it. Once authenticated, the device authorizes access to a remote site (e.g., a web site or a server on a local area network). The communications from the device to the remote site is encrypted and further the hand-held device uses a computer generated password to gain access to the site. In this way, user generated passwords, which are typically simple and infrequently changed, are avoided in favor of a more complex and frequently changed computer generated passwords for site access.