Abstract: Secure authentication facility coordinates user authentication for secure access to systems, software applications, and hardware and software resources. The secure authentication facility provides for user authentication using local or remote authentication devices, to authenticate to local or remote operating system, application software, or other resources. The secure authentication facility sends and receives authentication data by use of secure messaging facility to provide consistent handling of authentication regardless of where the various devices, software, and resources are located. The secure authentication facility comprises a DLL. A developer kit is provided to facilitate use of the secure authentication facility. The invention includes software for facilitating user authentication, and includes methods of providing user authentication.

Abstract: A secure message facility transfers authentication data between various applications, operating systems, and authentication devices and software in the form of messages. These messages comprise a data structure with a standard header with fields that describe the class, length, and type of message, and routing information. This header information is used to route the message to the appropriate handler. The messages are transferred between applications via the messaging facility DLL and the messaging facility Service. The messaging facility DLL is intended to be loaded by an application. The messaging facility DLL forms the messages, directs them to the appropriate messaging facility service (local or remote) and interprets the responses. The messages sent between the messaging facility DLL and messaging facility Service are extremely flexible and can be used to send any type of data or content of messages.

Abstract: A multiple user desktop graphical identification and authentication configured as a loadable dynamic link library (DLL) intended to replace the default Microsoft graphical identification and authentication. It has the ability to create secure, private logon sessions for each user that logs on to the system. There can be up to at least thirteen users logged in at the same time and each user will have their own desktop environment. Auto log off functions may be set based on time of inactivity and/or number of individual users. The multiple user desktop graphical identification and authentication functions in a domain and non-networked environments and needs no added hardware.

Abstract: The multiple user desktop (MUD) GINA is a loadable dynamic link library (DLL) intended to replace the default Microsoft GINA. It has the ability to create secure, private logon sessions for each user that logs on to the system. There can be up to fourteen (14) users logged in at the same time and each user will have their own desktop environment. Auto log off functions may be set based on time of inactivity and/or number of individual users. The MUD Gina functions in a domain and non-networked environments and needs no added hardware.