Method and apparatus for certification and authentication of users and computers over networks

A certification method according to 6, wherein under a condition where all the terminals of the same group are completed in certification, a new terminal newly joining the group is regarded as a new certified subject, which is subjected to the inter-group certification process.

An authentication method applicable to a networking system constituted by a plurality of terminals respectively operated by a plurality of users, and a certification server connected together via a network, wherein when the terminal issues a service use request to use a prescribed service, the certification server transmits an authentication request to each of the other terminals, which are certified in advance, so that the certification server makes determination based on authentication responses, which are returned from the other terminals, whether to allow the terminal issuing the service use request to start the service.

A certification method applicable to a networking system including a plurality of local networks, each of which is constituted by a plurality of terminals and is connected with a certification server via a network, wherein in a local session sharing process, the plurality of terminals constitute a same group to share a same local session in each of the plurality of local networks, and wherein a general local session sharing process, all the terminals connected with the plurality of local networks respectively are combined together to form a general group to share a general local session.

A certification server applicable to a networking system containing a plurality of terminals connected together via a local network, wherein the plurality of terminals that are combined together to form a same group in connection with the local network to share a local session therebetween are registered with a terminal registration section, and wherein certification is made with respect to a terminal of a certified subject on the basis of information, representing whether to authenticate the terminal, from the other terminals of the same group.

A certification server applicable to a networking system containing a plurality of terminals connected together via a local network, wherein the plurality of terminals are combined together to form a same group in connection with the local network to share a local session, and wherein upon reception of a service use request issued by the terminal that requests to use a prescribed service, an authentication request is transmitted to each of the other terminals of the same group which are certified in advance, so that a determination is made based on authentication responses, which are returned from the other terminals, as to whether or not the terminal issuing the service use request is allowed to start the service.