Abstract: The invention relates to a method for authenticating a user accessing a remote server from a computer. The method comprises connecting to the remote server from the computer; logging into the remote server using a user-specific identifier; authenticating the remote server in the computer; sending an unpredictable message from the remote server to the computer; establishing communication between the remote server and a terminal belonging to the user; authenticating the remote server in the terminal; authenticating the terminal in the remote server; inviting the user to enter the unpredictable message in the terminal; using the terminal to send the message entered by the user in the terminal to the remote server; and if the message entered by the user in the terminal matches the unpredictable message, authenticating the user in the remote server.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for authenticating a user accessing a remote server from a computer. The method comprises connecting to the remote server from the computer; logging into the remote server using a user-specific identifier; authenticating the remote server in the computer; sending an unpredictable message from the remote server to the computer; establishing communication between the remote server and a terminal belonging to the user; authenticating the remote server in the terminal; authenticating the terminal in the remote server; inviting the user to enter the unpredictable message in the terminal; using the terminal to send the message entered by the user in the terminal to the remote server; and if the message entered by the user in the terminal matches the unpredictable message, authenticating the user in the remote server.

Abstract: A system for protecting software that can be executed on a computer machine, the system being of the type in which the software is associated with a memory card for insertion in a reader connected to the computer machine. The software stores a public key, and periodically generates a pseudo-random number. A first algorithm is implemented by using the public key on information received from the reader. The result of implementing the first algorithm is compared with the pseudo-random number. Execution of the software is interrupted in response to such comparison. The card has protected storage means for storing an associated private key and means for implementing a second algorithm using the private key upon receiving information issued by the computer machine, thereby obtaining encoded information. The encoded information is transmitted from the card to the computer machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable reader (1). The reader is characterized in that it comprises a part (2) for electric connection to the port of a computer, whereby said part (2) exhibits four conduction lines (8, 9, 10, 11) in addition to a part (4) for the insertion of a module (5) which is removable and which can store confidential information, comprising the body (27) of a plastic module which is substantially parallelepipedal and rectangular whereby the dimensions thereof are 25 mm long, 15 mm wide and 0.76 mm thick, further comprising an integrated circuit chip provided with contact pads which are electrically connected to contact pads (28) which are flush with one of the surfaces of said module, whereby the insertion part comprises a connector which has pins which are electrically connected to the electric connection lines of the reader and, when the module (5) is inserted into said reader (1), to the contact pads (28) of said module (5).

Abstract: A system for protecting software that can be executed on a computer machine, the system being of the type in which the software is associated with a memory card for insertion in a reader connected to the computer machine. The software stores a public key, and periodically generates a pseudo-random number. A first algorithm is implemented by using the public key on information received from the reader. The result of implementing the first algorithm is compared with the pseudo-random number. Execution of the software is interrupted in response to such comparison. The card has protected storage means for storing an associated private key and means for implementing a second algorithm using the private key upon receiving information issued by the computer machine, thereby obtaining encoded information. The encoded information is transmitted from the card to the computer machine.