AUTHENTICATION OF DATA COMMUNICATIONS

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for authenticating communications between a user computer (2) and a server (3) via a data communications network (4). A security device (6) of the apparatus has memory (10) containing security data, and security logic (12) adapted to use the security data to generate an authentication response to an authentication message received from the server (3) in use. An interface device (7) of the apparatus is adapted for data communications with the security device (6). The interface device (7) has a receiver (17) for receiving from the user computer (2) an authentication output containing the authentication message sent by the server (3) to the user computer in use, and interface logic (19) adapted to extract the authentication message from the authentication output and to send the authentication message to the security device (6). The apparatus includes a communications interface (16) for connecting to the server (3) via a communications channel bypassing the user computer (2). One of the security device (6) and interface device (7) is adapted for sending the authentication response to the server (3) via the communications channel bypassing the user computer.