Abstract: A method is performed by a computing device. The method includes, (a) at the computing device, wirelessly receiving an authentication code from an authentication card via near-field communications (NFC), (b) providing the authentication code received wirelessly via NFC to an authentication service configured to authenticate the user of the computing device based on the authentication code, and (c) in response to the authentication service authenticating the user based on the authentication code received wirelessly via NFC, providing the user with access to a resource via the computing device. Analogous computer program products and apparatuses are also provided described.

Abstract: A mobile-based client-server system architecture incorporates two specialized software layers—a specialized “proxy” layer that resides on a mobile client station, and a “web agent” layer that resides on a server. A conventional web browser application residing on a mobile client station is configured to point to the proxy layer, which captures HTTP information request messages that are transmitted to, and received from, the web browser. The HTTP request messages are packed by the proxy layer within a selected communication transmission format for upstream transmission over a communication network, such as a wireless network. At the server, the web agent layer recovers the original, (i.e., “raw”) HTTP request messages, which are then sent to an appropriate web server for further processing.