Method and apparatus for automated password entry

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for protecting security credentials (e.g., username/password combinations) and/or other sensitive data in a “password vault.” A password vault device may be or may be incorporated into a portable (or even wearable) electronic device, such as a smart phone, smart watch, smart glasses, etc. When a security credential is requested during a user's operation of the password vault device or some other computing/communication device, such as when the user is accessing an online site or service via a browser program, the request is passed to the password vault, and the appropriate security credential is retrieved, delivered, and entered into the requesting interface.

主权项

1. A method of protecting and automatically delivering a security credential with a portable credential vault device, the method comprising:
receiving multiple security credentials of a user at the credential vault device; storing the security credentials and information identifying remote computer systems associated with the security credentials; and operating a processor of the credential vault device to:
receive a request for a first security credential, via vault interface logic executing on a requesting device operable by the user to access a first remote computer system associated with the first security credential;retrieve at least a first portion of the first security credential from storage, wherein the first portion is less than the entire first security credential; andautomatically deliver only the first portion of the first security credential to the requesting device; wherein:
the vault interface logic enters the first portion of the first security credential on behalf of the user; andthe user enters a remaining portion of the first security credential, without receiving the remaining portion from the credential vault device; and further operating the processor of the credential vault device to, without activity by the user:
receive a request to generate a new password for use by the user to access a second remote computer system;identify format requirements of the new password; andgenerate the new password so as to satisfy the format requirements.