Abstract: A method, system, or computer program product is presented for cross-domain, single-sign-on, authentication functionality. A user may contract with one or more authentication service providers (ANSPs). E-commerce service providers (ECSPs), such as online banks or online merchants, also maintain a relationship with an ANSP such that the ECSP can trust the authenticated identity of a user that is vouched-for by the ANSP on behalf of the user. The user can visit any e-commerce service provider in a federated environment without having to establish an a priori relationship with that particular ECSP. As long as the ECSP's domain has a relationship with at least one of the user's authentication service providers, then the user will be able to have a single-sign-on experience at that ECSP.

Abstract: An Internet user transfers directly to a domain within an e-community without returning to a home domain or re-authenticating. The user's home domain server prepares and forwards a home domain identity cookie (DIDC) with an enrollment request to a user's browser, with the enrollment request being redirected to an affiliated domain server in the e-community. The affiliated domain server prepares and sends an affiliated DIDC with an enrollment confirmation to the user's browser, redirecting the enrollment confirmation to the home domain server. The home domain server modifies the home DIDC to include a symbol which indicates successful enrollment at the affiliated site. The process may be repeated for a plurality of affiliated domains to achieve automatic enrollment a portion of or an entire e-community.