Method and apparatus for enabling a user to select an authentication method

摘要

The present invention facilitates access to a restricted service related to secure transactions via a network. The present invention allows a user to select a minimum security level of authentication for its own login to a restricted service. The user's selected minimum security level of authentication may be registered in an authentication method system, so that the user must use the selected minimum security level for authentication in order to gain access to the restricted service. Alternatively, the user may specify that the selected minimum security level for authentication may be over-turned by the user, or optionally re-set to a new authentication method depending on the needs of the user. As such, the present invention allows the user the flexibility to select its own authentication method for accessing a restricted service.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
registering, by a computer-based system, a first authentication method for accessing a first restricted service associated with a user and a site, wherein the first authentication method is selectable by the user, the first restricted service being a service provided at the site; and allowing, by the computer-based system, the user to change the first authentication method to a second authentication method associated with a second restricted service for the site without accessing the first restricted service or the second restricted service, wherein the first authentication method is different from the second authentication method and the second restricted service is another service provided by the site, and wherein the change of the first authentication method to the second authentication method requires a third authentication method.