Computer method and apparatus for authenticating unattended machines

Computer apparatus for authenticating unattended computer-based machines, comprising:

• in a given computer-based machine, an operating system receiving initializing input from a user of the given machine, based on the received initializing input, the operating system (i) authenticating the user for a subject process, (ii) generating respective user credentials and (iii) storing the generated credentials in a memory area of the given machine;
• and
• a monitoring module responsive to the operating system and monitoring user activity on the given machine, upon detecting suspect activity, the monitoring module effectively denies access to the stored credentials of the subject process, wherein the monitoring module operates independently of and separately from the subject process.

A computer system for authenticating a computer-based machine, comprising:

• credential generating means for, in a given process, (i) authenticating a user based on input received from the user at a subject computer-based machine and (ii) generating resulting credentials;
• and
• monitoring means for monitoring user activity on the subject machine, the monitoring means operating separately from the given process, upon detecting suspect activity, the monitoring means substantially destroying the resulting credentials of the given process.