Patent ID: 7743404

Claim:
A method for linking a first network computer with a second network computer so that a user of the first network computer is automatically logged in to the second network computer, the user having a first username for accessing the first network computer and a second username for accessing the second network computer, the method comprising the steps of: generating with the first network computer a link request, wherein the link request includes: a plaintext component including information for locating a resource of the second network computer, the first username and the second username; and an encrypted component formed by applying an encryption process to encrypt information including the first username, the second username and a secret; maintaining a mapping of usernames for access by the second network computer; authenticating the link request with the second network computer including: generating an encryption result by applying the encryption process to the information in the plaintext component of the link request; and comparing the encryption result with the encrypted component of the link request; searching with the second network computer the mapping of stored usernames to determine if the mapping of stored usernames includes a mapping of the first username with the second username; and logging the user in to the second network computer if the mapping of stored usernames includes a mapping of the first username with the second username.