Patent ID: 7941831

Claim:
A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, implement components comprising: an authentication component that, when executed by the at least one processor, performs a method for authenticating an entity using first credential information, wherein, during authentication, the authentication component may identify that second credential information is required to complete the method for authenticating; an interface component that: receives the first credential information from at least one application component and provides the first credential information to the authentication component; when the authentication component identifies that second credential information is required to complete the method for authenticating, notifies the at least one application component that the second credential information is required; and after the at least one application obtains the second credential information in response to the notification from the interface component, provides the second credential information to the authentication component; and the at least one application component, separate from the authentication component, that, when executed by the at least one processor, obtains the first credential information and the second credential information for the entity by: generating at least one user interface in the context of the at least one application component; and collecting the first credential information and the second credential information via the at least one user interface.