Abstract: A server and a computer are connected to a network. User data may be used to establish a state between a server and a user operating the computer. Key-based secure network user states includes encrypting user data with a cryptographic key; embedding, into the encrypted user data, the cryptographic key or reference data associated with the cryptographic key; storing the encrypted user data with embedded key data in a cookie; and sending the cookie to a computer; such that subsequently, a secure state between the server and the user is established by receiving the cookie from the computer; extracting, from the cookie, the encrypted user data and embedded key data; decrypting, using said key data, the encrypted user data; and establishing the secure state between the server and the user based on the decrypted user data. Key data is the cryptographic key or reference data for obtaining the cryptographic key.

Abstract: A server and a computer are connected to a network. User data may be used to establish a state between a server and a user operating the computer. Key-based secure network user states includes encrypting user data with a cryptographic key; embedding, into the encrypted user data, the cryptographic key or reference data associated with the cryptographic key; storing the encrypted user data with embedded key data in a cookie; and sending the cookie to a computer; such that subsequently, a secure state between the server and the user is established by receiving the cookie from the computer; extracting, from the cookie, the encrypted user data and embedded key data; decrypting, using said key data, the encrypted user data; and establishing the secure state between the server and the user based on the decrypted user data. Key data is the cryptographic key or reference data for obtaining the cryptographic key.