Methods and Apparatus for Authenticating Data as Originating from a Storage and Processing Device and for Securing Software and Data Stored on the Storage and Processing Device

A system of generating a cryptoprocessing key for authenticating a user-operated computer to a remote server, comprising:

• means for establishing a connection between the user-operated computer to the remote server;
• means for transferring an authentication program from the remote server to the user-operated computer;
• means for installing the authentication program to the user-operated computer;
• means for creating an inventory of data relating to unique features of data storage of the user-operated computer;
• and
• means for using the inventory of data to generate the cryptoprocessing key.

A system of authenticating a user-operated computer to a remote server, comprising the steps of:

• means for establishing a connection between the user-operated computer and the remote server;
• means for executing an authentication program on the user-operated computer to create an authentication block for use in authenticating the user-operated computer, the authentication block including data previously exchanged between the remote server and the user-operated computer;
• means for encrypting the authentication block using a previously generated cryptoprocessing key created using an inventory of data relating to unique features of data storage on the user-operated computer;
• means for transmitting the authentication block to the remote server;
• means for decrypting the authentication block at the remote server using the previously generated cryptoprocessing key;
• and
• means for verifying the contents of the authentication block at the remote server.

A system of installation of a software image to a specific storage medium, comprising:

• means for creating a software image comprising a plurality of software modules connected by links;
• means for associating each link with a software module;
• means for processing each link to include location information specific to the specific storage medium;
• and
• means for placing each module associated with a link in a location corresponding to location information included in the associated link.

A system of data cryptoprocessing comprising:

• means for installing a software image comprising a plurality of modules connected by links between the modules to a storage medium by:
• means for associating each link with a software module;
• means for processing each link to include location information specific to the storage medium;
• means for placing each module associated with a link in a location corresponding to location information included in the associated link;
• means for choosing selected links;
• means for selecting data from the location corresponding to the location information included in each of the selected links;
• and
• means for using the selected data to create cryptoprocessing keys;
• and
• means for cryptoprocessing data using the cryptoprocessing keys.

A system for authentication of a user's computer to a financial server belonging to a financial institution offering online banking or other financial services, the system comprising:

• a user computer comprising a memory storage unit and a remote communication interface for communications with the financial server;
• the user computer employing an operating system and storage protocols to install an executable authentication file which is stored in the memory storage unit in accord with the operating system and storage protocols;
• means for searching the memory storage unit for locations containing selected elements of the authentication file;
• and
• means for utilizing location information for the selected elements to collect data for use in generating a crytoprocessing key.