Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for providing a secure single sign-on to a computer system

US7941847B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
3References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 26, 2006
Grant dateMay 10, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 28, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F21/34
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for providing a secure single sign-on to a computer system is disclosed. Pre-boot passwords are initially stored in a secure storage area of a smart card. The operating system password, which has been encrypted to a blob, is stored in a non-secure area of the smart card. After the smart card has been inserted in a computer system, a user is prompted for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) of the smart card. In response to a correct smart card PIN entry, the blob stored in the non-secure storage area of the smart card is decrypted to provide the operating system password, and the operating system password along with the pre-boot passwords stored in the secure storage area of the smart card are then utilized to log on to the computer system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.