Systems and methods for identification and authentication of a user

The present invention generally relates to a computer security system for use in the identification and authentication of a user prior to an on-line transaction. In one aspect, a method for facilitating a secure transaction over a network is provided. The method includes collecting a username and password associated with a user of the machine. The method further includes verifying that the username and password matches a previously collected username and password in an identity profile. The method also includes collecting device data from a user machine to uniquely identify the machine. Additionally, the method includes verifying that the device data matches previously collected device data in the identity profile. In another aspect, a computer-readable medium including a set of instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to facilitate a secure transaction over a network is provided. In yet a further aspect, a system for facilitating a secure transaction is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to computer security and more specifically to systems and methods for identifying and authenticating a user.

2. Description of the Related Art

Internet commerce has increased dramatically over the last several years. As a result, several different on-line payment methods have been created. In one payment method, the buyer simply types a credit card number into an on-line payment webpage to pay for the goods or services provided by an on-line merchant. In another payment method, the buyer uses an on-line payment service to pay for the goods or services provided by an on-line merchant. The on-line payment service allows the buyer to pay the on-line merchant via the Internet using funds that are available in a bank account or on a credit card. The on-line payment service holds the account information, not the on-line merchant, and therefore the on-line payment service may protect the buyer from unlawful use of the buyer's account.

Even though on-line payment services are effective in providing a more secure means of on-line payment between the buyer and the on-line merchant as compared to paying by a credit card number or a personal check, on-line payment services typically require a single factor of authentication to verify that the buyer is actually the owner of the account. For example, the on-line payment service may require the buyer to input an email address and a password to make an on-line payment. However, the single factor of authentication, such as the email address and password, can be easily stolen by a computer hacker. This may result in the unlawful use of the buyer's account, which is a common form of identity theft.

In addition to Internet commerce, many banks now offer on-line banking which allows customers to access their accounts via the Internet. On-line banking allows a customer to perform routine transactions, such as account transfers, balance inquiries, bill payments, and stop-payment requests from a remote computer. In addition, some banks allow their customers to apply for loans and credit cards on-line as well. Similar to on-line payment services, to access the account information or apply for a loan or a credit card on-line, a bank usually requires only one factor of authentication to verify that an on-line customer is actually the owner of the account. For example, the bank may require the customer to input a username and a password to access the account. Again, the single factor of authentication, such as the username and password, can be easily stolen by a computer hacker, which may result in the unlawful use of the customer's account.

As the foregoing illustrates, there is a need in the art for a way to verify the identities of on-line customers that is more secure than current approaches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a computer security system for use in the identification and authentication of a user prior to an on-line transaction. In one aspect, a method for facilitating a secure transaction over a network is provided. The method includes collecting a username and password associated with a user of the machine. The method further includes verifying that the username and password matches a previously collected username and password in an identity profile. The method also includes collecting device data from a user machine to uniquely identify the machine. Additionally, the method includes verifying that the device data matches previously collected device data in the identity profile.

In another aspect, a computer-readable medium including a set of instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to facilitate a secure transaction over a network is provided. The processor performs the step collecting a username and password associated with a user of the machine. The processor also performs the step of transmitting the username and password to a server machine in order to verify that the username and password matches a previously collected username and password in an identity profile. Further, the processor performs the step of collecting device data from a user machine to uniquely identify the machine. Additionally, the processor performs the step of transmitting the device data to the server machine in order to verify that the device data matches a previously collected device data in the identity profile.

In yet a further aspect, a system for facilitating a secure transaction is provided. The system includes a computing device having a processor and a memory, wherein the memory includes a security agent program configured to collect a username and password associated with a user of the computing device and transmit the username and password. The security agent is also configured to collect device data from the computing device to uniquely identify the computing device and transmit the device data. The system further includes a server machine that includes a user profiles database and configured to receive the username and password from the computing device and verify that the username and password matches previously collected username and password in the identity profile stored in user profiles database. The server machine is further configured to receive the device data from the computing device and verify that the device data matches previously collected device data in an identity profile stored in user profiles database.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the invention relates to a computer security system for use in the identification and authentication of a user prior to an on-line transaction. The system will be described herein in relation to a single user. However, it should be understood that the systems and methods described herein may be employed with any number of users without departing from the principles of the present invention. The description of the invention is separated into four sections: the architecture, the enrollment process, a secure access transaction, and a secure payment transaction. To better understand the novelty of the system of the present invention and the methods of use thereof, reference is hereafter made to the accompanying drawings.

Architecture

FIG. 1is a conceptual block diagram of a system100configured to identify and authenticate the identity of a user, according to one embodiment of the invention. The system100includes a user machine105, which may be any type of individual computing device such as, for example, a desk-top computer, a lap-top computer, a hand-held phone device, or a personal digital assistant. Generally, the user machine105is configured to be a communication link between the user and the other components in the system100. The user machine105includes a security agent110. Generally, the security agent110is a software entity that runs on the user machine105. As described in further detail herein, the security agent110, among other things, is configured to create an identity profile115of a user and of user machine105, collect certain data from the user machine105or manage secure access or secure payment transactions made from user machine105. Additionally, the security agent110is designed to offer protection against phishing, pharming, Trojan programs or worms.

As also shown, the user machine105includes the profile115, which represents the identity of the user. The profile115is unique for each user. As described in further detail herein, once the profile115has been created for the user, the identity of the user can be subsequently verified by a series of interactions between the security agent110and the authentication server125based on the profile115. The profile115includes data about the user and the user machine105and can be used to establish a multifactor identification for the user whenever the user attempts to conduct transactions via the user machine105. The first factor of authentication is a username and/or password, which relates to “what the user knows.” The second factor of authentication is unique information about the user machine105, which relates to “what the user has.” The third factor of authentication is unique information about the user, such as biometric identity, which relates to “who the user is.”

As will be discussed below in the enrollment process, the username and/or password is created by the user after the identity of the user is established. The username and/or password are typically a combination of characters and numbers, which the user can easily remember. In one embodiment, the user machine105transmits the username and/or password in a cryptographically protected form, so access to the actual username and/or password will be difficult for a snooper who gains internal access to the user machine105.

With respect to the second factor of authentication, the unique information about the user machine105is generally a combination of select information associated with the user machine105. The information may be static or dynamic. For instance, the information may include the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), which is a number unique to every mobile phone, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is a unique number associated with network mobile phone users, and/or the geolocation of the user machine105, which is a real-world geographic location of a network connected computer or mobile device. The information about the user machine105may also include machine-level attributes. For instance, the information may include various parameters available through a PCI configuration space, like the Device ID or the Vendor ID for different system devices, the data residing in the SMM memory space, or other memory hardware attributes, such as memory type, memory clock speed, amount of memory, hard drive serial number, size of hard drive, maker of hard drive etc., and/or chipset information or graphics card information, which can be used to read hidden and/or unhidden registers within those subsystems. Further, the information may include data at different locations in firmware or BIOS or information available in a Microcode patch or a checksum of a portion of the firmware within the user machine105.

In addition to the foregoing, the information about the user machine105may also be system-level attributes. For instance, the information may include a MAC address, hard drive serial number, hardware configuration information, such as interrupt routing, GPIO routing, PCI Device Select routing or a hardware configuration map, operating system registry, CPU type, CPU version or CPU clock speed. The information about the user machine105may also include system pattern extraction. For instance, the information may include a directory structure and/or a list of installed applications, such as a word processor or other computer tools.

The third factor of authentication consists of unique information about the user, such as a biometric identity. The biometric data may include the specific typing pattern of the user since each user's typing behavior is unique. Typically, typing authentication works by requesting that a user seeking access to a computer or a password-protected file just type a short passage into the computer so that the user's typing pattern can be analyzed and matched against a known pattern. Additionally, the biometric data may also be generated by a biometric device, such as a fingerprint device or an iris pattern device, included within the user machine105.

The system100further includes a network120, which may be any type of data network, such as a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. The network120is configured to act as a communication pathway between the user machine105, the authentication server125, and an institution server140. The authentication server125stores a copy of the profile115generated during the enrollment process in a user profiles database130. Additionally, the authentication server125interacts with the agent110via the network120during the secure access transaction and the secure payment transaction, as described below. The institution server140stores sensitive information for the user e.g. financial account information, confidential data, etc. The institution server140may be part of a bank, a building society, a credit union, a stock brokerage, or other businesses holding sensitive data. Generally, the institution server140interacts with the agent110via the network120during the enrollment process, a secure access transaction or a secure payment transaction, as described below.

Enrollment Process

FIG. 2is a flow chart of method steps for enrolling a user in a security service, according to one embodiment of the invention. Although the method steps are described in the context of the system ofFIG. 1, any system configured to perform the method steps, in any order, is within the scope of the invention. Generally, the enrollment process200is used to verify the identity of the user, establish multi-factors of authentication and bind the verified identity of the user to the multi-factors of authentication. As will be discussed herein, verifying the user identity during the enrollment process200may include having the user answer specific personal questions e.g. amount of last check deposited, date of last withdrawal, previous residential address, etc. The answers are then checked against a known answer from a data source, such as the institution and/or third party consumer data base to verify that the user is who the user claims to be. Some examples of the multi factors of authentication are—the identification of the user, the identification of the machine, the biometric identity of the user, etc. It should be noted that the enrollment process is a one-time process for each user. After the enrollment process200is complete, the user is able to perform the secure access transaction300or the secure payment transaction400, described below, without having to repeat the enrollment steps. The process of verifying identity significantly reduces the chance of a malicious party claiming to be the user. The process of binding the verified identity to the multi-factors of authentication eliminates the cumbersome process of proving the identity of the user at every transaction while providing the same level of security as though the user answered the identity questions, such as the specific personal questions each time.

The enrollment process200begins in step205, where the user accesses an enrollment webpage. In one embodiment, the enrollment webpage is generated by the institution server140and downloaded to the user machine105when the user attempts to electronically access an account held with the institution. The enrollment webpage is configured to educate the user about the enrollment process and subsequently start the user identification process of step210.

In step210, the user is asked specific personal questions in which only the user knows the answer in order to generate a verified user identity. The questions may relate to dynamic data that frequently changes and is known only by the institution, such as “when was your last deposit,” “what was the last check number,” “who was the check written to” or “who last deposited money in the financial institution”, “what was your last take home pay amount.” The personal questions may relate to static data that does not change, such as “what car did you drive before your current car,” “what is your social security number, date of birth, mother's maiden name” or “what address did you live at before your current address.” In step215, the answers given by the user is compared to known answers in a data source, such as data at the institution or data held at third party data bases, to verify the identity of the user. If the answers do not match the known answers in the data source, then, in step220, an exception process is activated. The exception process may include a verification of the user over the phone. Additionally, the exception process may include the user making a personal appearance at a specific location. The exception process in step220may be any type of process known in the art to verify the identity of the user.

In step225, the security agent110is downloaded to the user machine105after the identity of the user is established. In one embodiment, the security agent110is downloaded directly from the institution server140via the network120. In another embodiment, the security agent110is downloaded via the network120from the authentication server125. In any case, the security agent110is configured to interact with both the authentication server125and the institution server140.

In step230, a user name and password is selected to establish the first factor of authentication. In one embodiment, the user selects the user name and password. In another embodiment, the authentication server125or the institution sever140generates the user name and/or the password. In any case, the user name and/or password are used during the secure access transaction300and the secure payment transaction400, described below.

In step235, unique information from the user machine105is extracted by the security agent110to establish the second factor of authentication. As set forth above, the information may include any number of different types of data associated with the user machine105. Again, the information may include the IMEI or the IMSI which relate to mobile devices. The information may include the geolocation of the user machine105. The information may also include machine level attributes, such as a Device ID, a Vendor ID, data at a SMM memory space, a memory type, a memory clock, hard drive serial number, chipset information, data at different locations in firmware, or information available in Microcode patch, a checksum of firmware, or BIOS. Further, the information may include system level attributes, such as a MAC address, a hard drive serial number, interrupt routing, GPIO routing, PCI DevSel routing, a map of hardware configuration, or an operating system registry. Additionally, the information may relate to system pattern extraction, such as a directory structure or a list of installed applications. No matter what type of select data is extracted from the user machine105, the data or a combination of different types of data should be unique to the user machine105in order to establish the second factor of authentication.

In step240, the biometric information is collected in order to establish the third factor of identity. As set forth herein, the biometric data may include specific typing patterns of the user or biometric data generated by a biometric device, such as a fingerprint device or an iris pattern device. Although each factor of authentication was discussed in steps230,235and240, it should be understood, however, that any of the factors may be an optional factor of authentication in the enrollment process200without departing from principles of the present invention.

In step245, the verified user identity from step215is connected (or bound) to the the user identity profile115which generally comprises the data collected in steps230-240. The connecting (or binding) of the verified user identity to the factors of authenication allows the user to engage in the secure access transaction300or the secure payment transaction400without having to repeat the enrollment steps. In other words, the binding of the identity with the factors of authenication eliminates the cumbersome process of proving the identity of the user at every transaction while providing the same level of security as though the user answered the identity questions (the specific personal questions) every time.

In step250, a copy of the profile115is stored in the user profiles database130in the authentication server125. During the secure access transaction300and the secure payment transaction400, the security agent110interacts with the authentication server125by comparing the data from the user and the user machine with the user profile115stored in the user profiles database130to establish the identity of the user before proceeding with the transaction. It should be noted that in one embodiment the user is able to use the secure access transaction300and the secure payment transaction400without providing any sensitive personal data, such as a credit card number, a debit card number, etc. In another embodiment, the user interacts directly with an institution to verify the identity of the user. Then the institution issues a one-time credential, such as an account number and/or password. The one-time credential is used during the authentication process of the user to establish the identity of the user before proceeding with the secure access transaction300or the secure payment transaction400.

Secure Access Transaction

FIG. 3is a flow chart of method steps for securely accessing a user account, according to one embodiment of the invention. Although the method steps are described in the context of the system illustrated inFIG. 1, any system configured to perform the method steps in any order is within the scope of the invention. Generally, the secure access transaction300is a transaction where the user attempts to electronically access an account held at the institution via the institution server140. Some examples of an institution may be a financial institution, a government agency, a medical institution or a business. During the secure access transaction300, the security agent110interacts with the authentication server125via the network120to ensure that the user is properly authenticated prior to giving the user access to the relevant accounts held at the institution.

The secure access transaction300begins with the security agent110interacting with the user at a log-on webpage of the institution. In one embodiment, the security agent110automatically activates after the security agent110detects the log-on webpage of the institution. For instance, the security agent may detect the institution log-on webpage by reading the source code of the webpage, such as the HTML code or by reading a trigger, such as a header or an identification number embedded in the log-on webpage. In another embodiment, the user activates the security agent110to perform the secure access transaction300. For instance, the user may select a button on the webpage to activate the security agent110. In a further embodiment, the institution activates the security agent110and requires the user to use the security agent110during the secure access transaction300.

In step305, the security agent110prompts the user to enter his or her username and/or password in order to determine the first factor of authentication. In step310, the username and/or password entered in step305is compared to the username and/or password previously stored in the user profiles database130. If the username and/or password does not match the user profile in the user profiles database130, then an exception process is activated in step315to determine that the user is who the user claims to be. The exception process in step315may be any type of standard industry process known in the art to aid a user who has forgotten a user name and/or password. For instance, the exception process may include requiring the user to go through the enrollment process200again to create a new user name and/or password. The exception process may also include having the user answer a security question in order to determine that the user is who the user claims to be. The exception process may also include sending the user name and/or password to a user email address or sending a text message to a user cellphone.

In step320, the security agent110collects information which is associated with the user machine105in order to establish the second factor of authentication. As previously set forth herein, the information associated with the user machine105may include a variety of different information, such as information related to the IMEI, the IMSI, the geolocation, machine level attributes, system level attributes, or system pattern extraction.

In step325, the security agent110collects biometric information from the user in order to establish the third factor of identity. Again, the biometric data may include specific typing patterns of the user or biometric data generated by a biometric device, such as a fingerprint device or an iris pattern device. Although each factor of authentication was discussed in steps305,320and325, it should be understood, however, that any of the factors may be an optional factor of authentication in the secure access transaction300without departing from principles of the present invention.

In steps330and335, the authentication server125verifies that the identity data collected in steps320and325matches the data included in the user profile previously stored in the user profiles database130on the authentication server125. If the identity data collected in steps320and325does not match the user profile in the user profiles database130, then an exception process is activated in step340. Depending on the type of mismatch, the exception process in step340may include limited access to the account or the exception process may require the collection of additional data or that the user to go through the enrollment process200again. For instance, if there is small mismatch, such as a wrong geolocation due to the user travelling or a different hard drive serial number due the user upgrading the user machine, then then the user may still be allowed access to the account after collecting additional data. If there is a large mismatch, then the user may be required to go through the enrollment process200again in order to establish the identity of the user and the factors of authenication. If the identity data collected in steps320and325does match the user profile in the user profiles database130, then the user is allowed access in step345to the account at the institution.

Secure Payment Transaction

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare a flow chart of method steps for making a secure payment, andFIG. 5is a conceptual block diagram of a system500through which a secure payment may be made, according to one embodiment of the invention. Although the method steps are described in the context of the system illustrated inFIG. 5, any system configured to perform the method steps in any order is within the scope of the invention. Generally, the secure payment transaction400is a transaction where the user purchases a product or a service from an on-line merchant505. During the secure payment transaction400, the security agent110interacts with the authentication server125via the network120to ensure that the user is properly identified and authenticated prior to the user finalizing the purchase of the product or the service from the on-line merchant505. The security agent110also is configured to interact with the different elements of system500to facilitate the actual on-line payment. Additionally, in the secure payment transaction400, the institution server140is represented as a user financial institution server.

The secure payment transaction400begins with the security agent110interacting with the user at a payment webpage of the online merchant505. In one embodiment, the security agent110automatically activates after the security agent110detects the payment webpage of the online merchant505. For instance, the security agent may detect the online merchant505payment webpage by reading the source code of the webpage, such as the HTML code for credit card information e.g. card type, expiry date, CVV2 code, etc. or by reading a trigger, such as a header or an identification number embedded in the payment webpage. In another embodiment, the user activates the security agent110to perform the secure payment transaction400. For instance, the user may select a button on the webpage to activate the security agent110. In a further embodiment, the online merchant505activates the security agent110and requires the user to use the security agent110during the secure payment transaction400.

In step405, the security agent110prompts the user to enter his or her username and/or password in order to determine the first factor of authentication. In one embodiment, the user enters his or her username and/or password through the standard key entry method of the user machine105. In another embodiment, refering now toFIG. 6, the security agent110prompts the user to enter a username and/or password directly in a box615by using a keypad610on the security agent110. The keypad610is manupulated by using a mouse (not shown) to push the buttons on the keypad610. Placing the keypad610on the security agent110is a security mechanism designed to prevent a keylogger from monitoring and stealing the password. In other words, if the password were entered into the box615by using a standard keyboard (not shown), then a keylogger may be able to monitor the keystrokes of the user and steal the password. As a further security mechanism, the location of the keys on keypad610will systematically change between uses to prevent a mouse logger from monitoring and stealing the password. Additionally, since the security agent110directly communicates with the authentication server125rather than through a conventional webpage, the threat of “phishing” by presenting the user with bogus webpages is eliminated. One skilled in the art will recognize that the security mechanisms set forth herein may be equally applicable to any transaction that involves the security agent110, such as the enrollment process200or the secure access transaction300.

The security agent110is also configured to encrypt the data transmissions generated by the security agent110as the security agent110interacts with other components in the system. In one embodiment, the security agent110has a cryptographic system that uses two keys, such as a public key that is known by other components in the system500and a private key that is known only to the recipient of the data transmission. For instance when the security agent110wants to send a secure data transmission to the authentication server125, the security agent110uses the public key to encrypt the data. The authentication server125then uses the private key to decrypt the data. An important element of this cryptographic system is that the public and private keys are related in such a way that only the public key can be used to encrypt data and only the corresponding private key can be used to decrypt the data. As a further security mechanism, the public private key pair may be randomly changed for each session or from time to time. One skilled in the art will recognize that the security mechanisms set forth herein may be equally applicable to any transaction that involves the security agent110, such as the enrollment process200or the secure access transaction300.

In step410, the username and/or password entered in step405is compared to the username and/or password previously stored in the user profiles database130. If the username and/or password does not match the data in the user profiles database130, then an exception process is activated in step415to determine that the user is who the user claims to be. The exception process in step415may be any type of standard industry process known in the art to aid a user who has forgotten a user name and/or password. For instance, the exception process may include requiring the user to go through the enrollment process200again to create a new user name and/or password. The exception process may also include having the user answer a security question in order to determine that the user is who the user claims to be. The exception process may also include sending the user name and/or password to a user email address or sending a text message to a user cellphone.

In step420, the security agent110collects information which is associated with the user machine105in order to establish the second factor of authentication. As previously set forth herein, the information associated with the user machine105may include a variety of different information, such as information related to the IMEI, the IMSI, the geolocation, machine level attributes, system level attributes, or system pattern extraction.

In step425, the security agent110collects biometric information from the user in order to establish the third factor of authentication. Again, the biometric data may include specific typing patterns of the user or biometric data generated by a biometric device, such as a fingerprint device or an iris pattern device. Although each factor of authentication was discussed in steps405,420and425, it should be understood, however, that any of the factors may be an optional factor of authentication in the secure payment transaction400without departing from principles of the present invention.

In steps430and435, the authentication server125verifies that the identity data collected in steps420and425matches the data included in the user profile previously stored in the user profiles database130on the authentication server125. If the identity data collected in steps420and425does not match the user profile in the user profiles database130, then an exception process is activated in step440. Depending on the type of mismatch, the exception process in step440may allow a payment of a reduced amount to be made during the secured payment transaction or the exception process may require the user to go through the enrollment process200again. For instance, if there is small mismatch, such as a wrong geolocation due to the user travelling or a different hard drive serial number due the user upgrading the user machine, then then the user may still be allowed to make an online payment after collecting additional data. If there is a large mismatch, then the user may be required to go through the enrollment process200again in order to establish the identity of the user and the factors of authenication before proceeding in the secure payment transaction400. If the identity data collected in steps420and425does match the user profile in the user profiles database130, then the security agent connects to the user financial institution server140in step445via the network120.

In step450, the security agent110requests financial account information from the institution server140about the user's account(s) held at the institution. Typically, the financial information relates to the different accounts that are available to make a payment to the on-line merchant505, such as a savings account or a checking account. Additionally, the financial information may include credit cards, lines of credit, equity lines of credit, and the like. In one embodiment, a bank line of credit can be established during the enrollment process or during the merchant transaction process. The bank line of credit then can be considered a virtual credit card for purposes of the merchant transaction. Therefore, in addition to a conventional credit card, this virtual credit card and/or savings account and/or checking account may be used as a payment means for the on-line transaction in step460, below.

In step455, the user selects an account for payment in the secure payment transaction400. Referring now toFIG. 7, after the security agent110obtains the financial information from the institution server140, the security agent110displays an account list705which is a list of accounts available to pay the on-line merchant505. Essentially, the security agent110becomes an automatic teller machine, whereby the user selects the account from the list of accounts presented by the security agent110, and then the security agent110facilitates the payment to the on-line merchant505, as discussed below.

In step460, the authentication server125creates a one-time use personal account number which is used in the secured payment transaction400. The one-time use personal account number is a sixteen digit number. Similar to the conventional credit card number, the one-time use personal account number includes a number prefix, commonly referred to as Network Identification Number, which is the sequence of digits at the beginning of the number that indicates the entity to which a credit card number belongs. In one embodiment, the authentication server125creates an expiration date which is used in the secured payment transaction400. In another embodiment, the authentication server125creates a one time use security code.

In step465, the one-time use personal account number is entered into the merchant webpage. In one embodiment, the security agent110populates a payment field810of the payment page625of the on-line merchant505with the one-time use personal account number. In another embodiment, the security agent110populates an expiration date field815of the payment page625of the on-line merchant505with the expiration date. In one embodiment, the security agent110may hide data in the payment field810with a phrase such as “securepay,” as shown inFIG. 8. Alternatively, the security agent110can hide data in the payment field810of the payment page625with “*********” reflecting the format of a conventional credit card number. In another embodiment, the user may populate the payment field810with the one-time use personal account number. In another embodiment, the user may populate the expiration date field815with the expiration date. In a further embodiment, the user may select a button on the payment page625to input the one-time use personal account number.

The utilization of the one-time use personal account number has several benefits. For instance, the one-time use personal account number has the same format as a conventional credit card number and therefore the on-line merchant505does not have to modify the format of the payment webpage625in order to accept the payment from the security agent110. Another benefit of the one-time use personal account number is that the personal account number can only be used one time and therefore even if the number is stolen, the personal account number has no value beyond the current transaction. Further, the number cannot be processed through traditional credit card processing networks due to the format of the number.

Referring back toFIG. 4B, in step470, the one-time personal account number is sent to a payment processor510. In step475, the payment processor510extracts server data from the one-time personal account number, such as the Network Identification Number, which is the sequence of digits at the beginning of the one-time use personal account number, in order to determine the personal account number belongs to the authentication server125. In step480, the payment processor510sends the one-time personal account number and transaction details to the authentication server125. The transaction details may include the merchant name, the merchant ID, and the amount of the transaction.

In step485, the authentication server125replaces the one-time personal account number with a user real personal account number that relates to the account which the user selected in step455. In step490, the authentication server125sends the real personal account number and the transaction details to the user financial institution for authorization. At this point, the user financial institution server140verifies that the user account has sufficient funds to cover the payment transaction. If there are insufficient funds in the selected account, then the security agent110prompts the user to select another account for payment. If there are sufficient funds in the selected account, then a payment authorization is sent to the payment processor510and security agent110in step495. In step498, the institution server140interacts with the merchant financial server515via the settlement network520to transfer the funds from the institution server140to the merchant financial server515.