Abstract: A method of, and system for, changing encryption information in a computer network is provided. The method includes providing at least first cryptographic information and second cryptographic information. A first validity period is provided for the first cryptographic information and a second validity period is provided for the second cryptographic information wherein the first and second validity periods overlap.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to verify configuration of a client access device requesting access to a network by establishing a communications link between a network access system and the client access device to authenticate and authorize the client access device and a user associated with the client access device. The network access system further receives client device configuration data from the client access device over the communications link during an authentication and authorization exchange and processes the client device configuration data to determine if the client access device will be granted access to the network.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for performing secure electronic transactions on a computer network, the network comprising a buyer's computer, a vendor server, a creditor server and a security server. The buyer's computer has a fingerprint file stored in the memory thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting information about an event in which a user accesses the Internet through the system of a first Internet Service Provider with whom the user does not have an account. The apparatus includes a first server that creates a record of the user's Internet usage and sends the record to a second server. The second server collects records from a plurality of Internet Service Providers and forwards the records to a third server on a regular basis. The third server processes the data in the plurality of records and generates a report showing how much money the first Internet Service Provider is owed for allowing the user to access the Internet through the system of the first Internet Service Provider.

Abstract: A system to identify and/or authenticate an entity includes a. client-side executable and an associated server-side executable, each of which may be dynamically generated. The server-side executable may be executed on a server to generate a first result. The client-side executable may be executed on an entity to generate a second result. The first result and the second result are compared to identify and/or to authenticate the entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting information about an event in which a user accesses the Internet through the system of a first Internet Service Provider with whom the user does not have an account. The apparatus includes a first server that creates a record of the user's Internet usage and sends the record to a second server. The second server collects records from a plurality of Internet Service Providers and forwards the records to a third server on a regular basis. The third server processes the data in the plurality of records and generates a report showing how much money the first Internet Service Provider is owed for allowing the user to access the Internet through the system of the first Internet Service Provider.

Abstract: A method to facilitate the financial settlement of service access transactions between multiple parties commences with the automatic collection of data concerning multiple transactions from respective service providers (e.g., ISPs). The multiple transactions are between the multiple service providers and multiple service customers. Respective transaction values are automatically determined for each of the multiple transactions. Account payable balances are automatically updated for the multiple service providers, and account receivable balances are automatically updated for the service customers based on the respective transaction values for each of the multiple transactions.

Abstract: A method and system is provided to secure a connection application in a multi-party access environment including a plurality of service providers. The method includes generating a customized connection application, and cryptographically signing the customized connection application, the customized connection application being for installation on a client machine. In certain embodiments, the customized connection application is in the form of a self-extracting executable to automatically install the connection application on the client machine. The customized connection application may be signed using Authenticode technology.

Abstract: In some embodiments a method for correlating supply chain network information received from supply chain network components controlled by different entities includes receiving connection agent information indicating access point identifiers associated with network access points; receiving provisioning information including physical location identifiers identifying venues at which the network access points reside; receiving network authorization request and response records, wherein the network authorization request and response records include data associated with the connection agent information and the provisioning data.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to verify configuration of a client access device requesting access to a network by establishing a communications link between a network access system and the client access device to authenticate and authorize the client access device and a user associated with the client access device. The network access system further receives client device configuration data from the client access device over the communications link during an authentication and authorization exchange and processes the client device configuration data to determine if the client access device will be granted access to the network.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for monitoring service quality of at least one network connection point of a remote network connection service. The method includes establishing a network connection between a client device and the remote network connection service via the network connection point. The network connection point may be one of a plurality of remotely located network connection points. The method includes monitoring access performance of the network connection point to generate access performance data, and processing the access performance data to monitor the service quality of the network connection point.

Abstract: A method of, and system for, associating a plurality of transaction data records generated in a service access system including a plurality of service providers is provided. The transaction data records are generated in response to a user accessing the system during a single user session. The method includes generating a unique session identification that is uniquely associated with the single user session and which is receivable by the service providers. The unique session identification is included in the transaction data record. The plurality of transaction data records is received at a transaction processing facility from the service providers and processes using the unique session identification of each transaction data record. In certain embodiments, the unique session identification is provided in a user identification string of each transaction data record when the user session is authentication.

Abstract: A system for permitting a secure electronic transaction on a network is disclosed. The network has a user device having a fingerprint, a provider's server and a means for providing verification of user's identity. In response to a request by the provider's server the means for providing verification positively identifies the fingerprint of the user device. It thereupon requests a confirmation from the user device of the transaction and upon receiving the confirmation completes the transaction.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for monitoring service quality of at least one network connection point of a remote network connection service. The method includes establishing a network connection between a client device and the remote network connection service via the network connection point. The network connection point may be one of a plurality of remotely located network connection points via any one of which access to the remote network connection service is obtainable. The method includes monitoring access performance of the network connection point to generate access performance data, and processing the access performance data thereby to monitor the service quality of the network connection point.

Abstract: A method to manage a customized network connection application includes generating plurality of input interfaces to receive customization information pertaining to the customized network connection application. The customization information pertaining to the customized network connection application is received via the plurality of input interfaces. The customization information is then stored as a profile associated with the customized network connection application. The customized network connection application is automatically generated utilizing the profile, and distributed to at least one recipient.

Abstract: A system to identify and/or authenticate an entity includes a. client-side executable and an associated server-side executable, each of which may be dynamically generated. The server-side executable may be executed on a server to generate a first result. The client-side executable may be executed on an entity to generate a second result. The first result and the second result are compared to identify and/or to authenticate the entity.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for monitoring service quality of at least one network connection point of a remote network connection service. The method includes establishing a network connection between a client device and the remote network connection service via the network connection point. The network connection point may be one of a plurality of remotely located network connection points via any one of which access to the remote network connection service is obtainable. The method includes monitoring access performance of the network connection point to generate access performance data, and processing the access performance data thereby to monitor the service quality of the network connection point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote network connection service quality monitoring are disclosed. A connection with a network connection point is established. The network connection performance data is collected and upon successful connection transmitted to a server via a network. A priority list of a plurality of network connection points is modified based on the collected network connection performance data.