Patent ID: 7024690

Claim:
In a computer system configured for remote coupling to a network via an unsecured wireless communication channel, a process for authenticating a network user comprising steps of: a) transmitting over said unsecured wireless communication channel a user identifier to said network that is operable to look up a first secret access code associated with said user identifier and operable to generate a first hashed representation of said first secret access code; b) receiving over said unsecured wireless communication channel said first hashed representation from said network; c) receiving a second secret access code from said network user and generating a second hashed representation thereof; d) verifying said first hashed representation against said second hashed representation; e) provided that said first hashed representation and said second hashed representation match, generating a third hashed representation of said second secret access code; and f) transmitting over said unsecured wireless communication channel said third hashed representation to said network for verifying against a fourth hashed representation of said first secret access code.