APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR UNLOCKING PASSWORD PROTECTED SOFTWARE SYSTEMS TO RECOVER MASTER PASSWORD

摘要

The present invention provides apparatus and method for recovering a forgotten password while maintaining the security and integrity of protected software system. In particular, the present invention provides for a centralized contact, as the "central administrator" or "central administration". The present invention further provides for the identification of the particular user (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60) to the particular local system, the identification of the particular local system to the central administrator, and the identification of the particular user to the central administrator. After providing all of the above-described proper identifications, the present invention provides for the identification of the forgotten password to the central administrator who then provides the forgotten password to the user. Also alternatively, the invention provides for the identification by the central administrator of a key that will unlock the software system (300) for the user so that the user can access the identification of the user's password.