Patent ID: 6018583
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer network system having a plurality of individual remote terminals and a central file server coupled to the terminals, requiring each user to be registered at each terminal which the user is intended to use and then allowing each user to change his password at each terminal, said system comprising:(a) means for generating a unique variable for the new user and encrypting the unique variable with an initially-entered password, so forming a password-encrypted unique variable;(b) means for creating a randomly-generated message, called a first conjugate;(c) means for encrypting the first conjugate with the initially-entered password, so forming a second conjugate; and(d) means for storing the password-encrypted unique variable and the first and second conjugates;(e) means for retrieving the first conjugate for the user;(f) means for encrypting the retrieved first conjugate with the password entered by the user and comparing the result with the stored second conjugate for the user, and, in the event of a match,(g) means for enabling the terminal for use by the user when the encrypted first conjugate matches the second conjugate;(h) means for retreiving the encrypted unique variable once the user has accessed the terminal;(i) means for decrypting the encrypted unique variable, using the user's current password, to re-create the user's unique variable;(j) means for encrypting the re-created unique variable with a new password entered by the user, so creating a new password-encrypted unique variable;(k) means for creating a new first conjugate and encrypting the new first conjugate with the user's new password to form a new second conjugate; and(l) means for storing the new password-encrypted unique variable, the new first conjugate and the new second conjugate.