Method, computer system, and computer program product for password generation

摘要

The generation of a unique password using a secret key and an application name is disclosed. Other passwords may be generated for other applications using the same key. A user provides a key that is not easily able to be guessed by third parties. The user also inputs a name of an application for which a password is desired. The system utilises the application name and the secret key to generate a unique password for that application, using standard encryption techniques. The system generates the same password for that application and secret key combination every time. Alternate embodiments generate a user identifier from the same secret key and application name.

主权项

1. A method of generating a password for at least two applications using a single key, said method comprising:
receiving said single key from a user by a password generator; receiving a first application name by the password generator, wherein the first application name is associated with a first application; generating a first password for said first application by the password generator, wherein the generating of the first password is based on at least said single key and said first application name; sending the first password to a first authenticating computer system for authenticating the user to run the first application; receiving a second application name by the password generator, wherein the second application name is associated with a second application; generating a second password for said second application by the password generator, wherein the generating of the second password is based on at least said single key and said second application name; sending the second password to a second authenticating computer system for authenticating the user to run the second application, wherein the key is a secret key of the user's and the sending of the respective passwords to the respective authenticators keeps the secret key unaccessible to the respective authenticating computer systems; and receiving a communication indicating at least a user selected duration of time during which a generated password is valid or expiration time after which the generated password is invalid, wherein generating at least said first password further includes incorporating an indicia of a date into said first password, wherein after the date said first password is invalid.