Abstract: During a pairing process between a connecting device and a server, a shared certificate is translated into a graphical scene by a validating client device of the server and the connecting device and the corresponding graphical scenes are independently displayed on each device for visual comparison by an operator of the validating client device. A validation word or code is also presented on the connecting device. When the validation word or code is correctly entered into a pairing validation interface on the client device by the operator, the server permits the connecting device to pair/connect with the server. In an embodiment, even single bit differences between the shared certificate expected by the server creates significant differences in the graphical scene depicted on the connecting device from that which is depicted on the client device.