Patent ID: 7409710

Claim:
A method for displaying a web based user interface over a network comprising: reading an HTTP request for authentication from a browser associated with a user, said HTTP request comprising credential information associated with said user; invoking a first plug-in module from a plurality of plug-in modules used to authenticate said user, said invoking based on said credential information, said plurality of plug-in modules providing authentication services; and dynamically generating an authentication user interface based on said HTTP request and configuration properties defined by said first plug-in module, wherein dynamically generating said authentication user interface comprises: selecting a first web page template from a plurality of web page templates based on said credential information and said configuration properties; retrieving additional information from memory to be displayed in said first web page template, wherein said first web page template comprises said authentication user interface; and incorporating said additional information into said first web page template, wherein said authentication user interface is customized by modifying said first web page template, and wherein said authentication user interface is customized by adding at least one additional plug-in module in said plurality of plug-in modules.