Abstract: Access to a target system is secured by use of an encrypted passphrase that is supplied on-site at the target system by a user requesting access. The encrypted passphrase includes an access credential portion and a one-way encoded portion. The one-way encoded portion is an encoded version of at least some of the access credential portion. A validator at the target system receives and decrypts the encrypted passphrase and identifies the access credential portion and one-way encoded portion. The validator one-way encodes the identified access credential portion and compares the result to the identified one-way encoded portion from the decrypted passphrase. If the results do not match, the validator denies access to the user requesting access. The encoding and decrypting of the passphrase may be performed using keys generated from a secret key/seed related to the target system, unencrypted information such as time/date information, and a user PIN.

Abstract: A communications device is used for transferring data to and from a data processing system. A controller in the communications device responds to communications signals from a signal source associated with the data processing system. A standard option connection is interposed between the controller and the signal source. When an option device is to be used, a circuit board is positioned in the connection. Conductors on the circuit board control the transfer of signals between the communications device and the signal source. The option device also includes data handling circuitry that responds to signals on the conductors or that may interrupt and/or modify these signals. The board also controls an option present signal used by the communications device for control purposes.