Abstract: A distributed peripheral device control method for controlling the interaction between an information device and a peripheral device in communication with the information device, comprising requesting the peripheral device to perform a specified task, sending device identification information identifying the peripheral device to a server, selecting a device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in dependence upon the device identification information, establishing a virtual port at the server to form part of a communications link between the server and the information device and associating the virtual port with the selected device driver, employing the server to perform, using the selected device driver, peripheral device-dependent processing operations relating to the performance of the task to produce device-dependent data, and sending the device-dependent data to the virtual port for onward transmission to the peripheral device via the information device to enable the peripheral device to perform

Abstract: A method is provided of enabling respective users (A, B) of first and second devices (12, 2) of a trusted network to perform a secure transaction between them. A communications channel, such as a telephone conversation, is established between the users (A, B). A verification identifier for the transaction is communicated between the users (A, B) using the communications channel (A6). The verification identifier is stored (A3) at the first device (12) as a reference identifier for the transaction. A secure connection is opened between the two devices (12, 2) over the trusted network (A10), the secure connection being different to the communications channel between the users (A, B). The verification identifier is sent (A11) from the second device (2) to the first device (12) over the secure connection. The verification identifier received over the secure connection is compared (A12) with the reference identifier at the first device (12).

Abstract: A method is provided of retrieving one or more data items stored in a protected area of a remote server for transferral to a local device. A trusted connection is formed between an information device and the protected area of the remote server. The information device and the trusted connection are employed to select a first group of one or more data items stored in the protected area of the remote server. The first group of data items are transferred from the protected area to a holding area outside the protected area of the remote server. A retrieval connection is formed between the local device and the holding area. A second group of one or more data items is determined from the first group of data items transferred to the holding area. The second group of data items is transferred from the holding area to the local device over the retrieval connection.

Abstract: A distributed peripheral device control method for controlling the interaction between an information device and a peripheral device in communication with the information device, comprising requesting the peripheral device to perform a specified task, sending device identification information identifying the peripheral device to a server, selecting a device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in dependence upon the device identification information, establishing a virtual port at the server to form part of a communications link between the server and the information device and associating the virtual port with the selected device driver, employing the server to perform, using the selected device driver, peripheral device-dependent processing operations relating to the performance of the task to produce device-dependent data, and sending the device-dependent data to the virtual port for onward transmission to the peripheral device via the information device to enable the peripheral device to perform