Patent ID: 8209541

Claim:
A method for linking a first network computer with a second network computer, wherein a user who is authenticated on the first network computer is automatically logged in to the second network computer, the method comprising the steps of: generating a link request with the first network computer, wherein the link request includes: a plaintext component including an identifier associated with the first network computer and information for locating a resource of the second network computer; and a hashed component including a first hash result formed by applying a hashing function to information in the plaintext component and a secret known to the first network computer and the second network computer; authenticating the link request with the second network computer and without using a two-way encryption process, including: generating a second hash result by applying the hashing function to information in the plaintext component of the link request and the secret; comparing the first hash result with the second hash result; and logging the user into the second network computer based on the comparison of the first hash result with the second hash result.