Patent ID: 8166310

Claim:
A machine-implemented method for providing access to one or more resources of a network device, the method comprising: receiving input from a first user, wherein the input is shared with a second user; generating a first password for said resources of said network device based at least in part on (a) said input from the first user, and (b) an algorithm, wherein said algorithm is always, during the steps of the method, concealed from said first user, and wherein said first password is always, during the steps of the method, concealed from said first user; receiving a second password from the second user, wherein said second password is generated based at least in part on (a) said input from the first user, and (b) said algorithm, wherein said algorithm is known to said second user, and wherein said second password is always, during the steps of the method, concealed from said first user; determining whether said first password matches said second password; and in response to determining that said first password matches said second password, providing said second user with access to said one or more resources of said network device; wherein the first user and the second user are different users in different locations; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.