Apparatus and method simplifying an encrypted network

A method for selectively automatically enabling a computing device to join a secure network, comprising the steps of:

• (a) enabling activation of a bind option on the computing device and on an access point used on the secure network;
• (b) in response to the bind option being activated, automatically producing a secure encrypted communication link between the computing device and the access point;
• (c) selectively transmitting a secure encrypted message from the access point to the computer device after authorization is granted for the computing device to join the secure network, said encrypted message conveying credentials that are required by the computing device for joining the secure network;
• (d) decrypting the encrypted message to recover the credentials, at the computing device;
• and
• (e) using the credentials at the computing device to join the computing device to the secure network.

A system for joining a secure network, comprising:

• (a) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored;
• (b) a network communication interface;
• and
• (c) a processor coupled to the memory and the network communication interface, said processor executing the machine instructions, which cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including:
• (i) enabling a user to initiate joining of the computing device to the secure network;
• (ii) participating in creating an alternate communication link between the computing device and an access point of the secure network;
• (iii) receiving credentials required for joining the secure network over the alternate communication link, from the access point;
• and
• (iv) using the credentials on the computing device to join the computing device to the secure network.

A system for facilitating joining a computing device to a secure network, comprising:

• (a) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored;
• (b) a network communication interface;
• and
• (c) a processor coupled to the memory and the network communication interface, said processor executing the machine instructions, which cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including:
• (i) enabling a user to initiale joining of the computing device to the secure network;
• (ii) participating in creating an alternate communication link with the computing device;
• (iii) using the alternate communication link, transmitting credentials required for communication over the secure network, to the computing device;
• and
• (iv) joining the computing device to the secure network in response to the computing device requesting to be joined using credentials.