Abstract: A password management system is based on a complex password format having two portions, a first portion which stays the same and a second portion which can be regularly updated. The first portion may for example be a Personal Identification Number (“PIN”) and which is memorable. The second portion meanwhile does not have to be memorable. The password management system works with an operating system which uses passwords matched in length to the complex password format. The passwords can be regularly updated by the password management system by providing a fresh second portion of the complex password. This is put together with the existing first portion and the whole is used as an update of the password records in the managed operating system. At the same time, the fresh portion of the password is made available to the relevant user, for instance via a mobile telephone. The user can then reconstruct the updated complex password by adding the memorable first portion to the fresh portion they have received.

Abstract: A messaging method and system sends secure emails (14) by the email originator (10) removing the portion of the email (14) which is confidential (24) from the body of the email (14). The removed portion (24) is sent to a secure storage site (30). The residue (20) of the email (14) is sent to the intended recipient (12), together with a notification (22) that the confidential portion (24) is at the secure site (30). Secure storage site 30 then sends a SMS text message (38) to the recipient's mobile phone (44) which has an authentication code (38) which the recipient (12) uses to establish identity and retrieve the confidential portion (24) of the email message (14) from the secure store (30). The secure store (30) emails the originator with notification (60) when the recipient (12) retrieves the secure portion (24) of the email message (14).