System and method for generating and authenticating a computer password

A method of authenticating a user device, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving by an authentication device, a password sent from the user device, said password comprising a plurality of data packets, wherein the data packets include character packets that transport a set of password characters, and a number of blank packets inserted between each pair of character packets;
• determining by the authentication device, whether the received set of password characters matches a stored set of password characters;
• determining by the authentication device, whether the received number of blank packets between the received character packets matches a predefined number of blank packets;
• and
• positively authenticating the user device only if the received set of password characters matches the stored set of password characters, and the received number of blank packets between the received character packets matches a predefined number of blank packets.

A system for protecting a network against unauthorized access, said system comprising:

• an apparatus for constructing and transmitting a network password having a plurality of characters, said apparatus including:
• packet forming means for placing each of the characters in different ones of a plurality of data packets forming the network password;
• a memory for storing a plurality of numbers in a predefined number sequence, said numbers identifying a predefined number of blank packets to be inserted between each pair of character-carrying data packets in the network password, wherein the packet forming means retrieves the predefined numbers from the memory and inserts the blank packets between each of the character-carrying data packets in the network password in accordance with the retrieved predefined numbers;
• and
• means for transmitting the network password through the network with each pair of character-carrying data packets being separated by the predefined number of blank packets;
• and
• an authentication device connected to the network for receiving the network password and authenticating the apparatus, said authentication device comprising:
• means for determining whether the received set of password characters matches a stored set of password characters;
• means for determining whether the received number of blank packets between the received character packets matches a predefined number of blank packets;
• and
• means for positively authenticating the apparatus only if the received set of password characters matches the stored set of password characters, and the received number of blank packets between the received character packets matches a predefined number of blank packets.