Abstract: A user terminal can be authenticated by an access point based on one message. In one embodiment, the present invention includes the access point receiving a message containing a shared secret encrypted with an access point public key, a user terminal certificate, and an authenticator string demonstrating possession by the user terminal of a user terminal private key. The access point can decrypt the shared secret using the private key of the access point paired with its private key. The access point can then authenticate the user terminal by checking the authenticator string using a user terminal public key included in the user terminal certificate to verify possession of the user terminal private key by the user terminal.

Abstract: The certificate issued by a certificate authority used in authenticating a user terminal can be scrambled prior to being set to an access point. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a user terminal having a memory in which a user terminal certificate is stored. The user terminal also has a processor coupled to the memory to scramble the user terminal certificate using a shared secret to be known only by the user terminal and an access point of the wireless access network, and a transmitter coupled to the processor to send a message to the access point, the message including the scrambled user terminal certificate.

Abstract: The time reference of a user terminal that is derived from an unauthenticated access point can be certified by a trusted entity according to the present invention. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a user terminal obtaining a time reference from an access point of a wireless access network. The user terminal then receives a digital certificate having a validity period from the access point, the certificate being issued by a certificate authority. In one embodiment, the user terminal requests certification of the time reference by a trusted entity, and receives the certification. Then the user terminal can validate the digital certificate.