Patent ID: 8087068

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for verifying authorization of access to a network account, comprising: at a server associated with a user network account: associating a first user communication portal with the user network account; receiving an access request to access the user network account from a second user communication portal; in response to the access request: determining security criteria related to the second user communication portal; and passing a security verification request to the first user communication portal when the security criteria is of a predetermined value, wherein the security verification request includes a request for a user of the first user communication portal to decide whether to verify authorization of access to the user network account via the second user communication portal; receiving a communication from the first user communication portal in response to the security verification request, wherein the communication includes information indicative of a user response to the security verification request; performing an account access operation enabling access to the user network account from the second communication portal based on the user response to the security verification request; and wherein the first and second user communication portals comprise devices distinct from the server.