Patent ID: 7590731

Claim:
A method implemented on a computing device by a processor configured to execute instructions that, when executed by the processor, for seeking access to a first server, the method comprising: determining that a client seeking access to the first server is not authenticated by an authentication server; communicating a request for login information to be returned to the authentication server from the client; receiving the first login information at the authentication server from the client; associating the login information with a user profile information; authenticating the client by comparing the login information with authentication information maintained by the authentication server; when the login information matches the authentication information, generating a user authentication indicator at the authentication server; sending the user authentication indicator to the first server; and sending the user profile information associated with the login information to the first server; at a time: after sending the user authentication indicator to the first server; determining that the client seeking access to the first server is not authenticated by the authentication server; communicating a request for an other login information to be returned to the authentication server from the client; receiving the other login information at the authentication server from the client; associating the other login information with the user profile information; authenticating the client by comparing the other login information with the authentication information maintained by the authentication server; when the other login information does not match the authentication information, generating an other user authentication indicator at the authentication server; sending the other user authentication indicator to the first server; and when the other login information matches the authentication information, copying cookies to the client, redirecting a browser to an affiliate server, and indicated a period of time for the cookies to be valid, wherein the cookies are encrypted using a key unique to the affiliate server.