Simplified and Safe User Authentication

A system for authenticating against one or more access points, the system comprising:

• a logic unit for receiving data identifying an electronic device and destination information for forwarding a code to a user, in response to the user providing the destination information to a user interface prompt displayed on the electronic device when attempting to authenticate against an access point accessible via the electronic device;
• a logic unit for generating the code, in response to receiving the destination information and data identifying the electronic device;
• a logic unit for associating the code with the data identifying the electronic device;
• and
• a logic unit for forwarding the code in a message to a destination associated with the destination information,
• wherein the code is retrieved from the message when the message is received,
• a logic unit for receiving the code transmitted by way of the electronic device to an authentication server;
• and
• a logic unit for authenticating the user against the access point, in response to determining that the code matches records stored in a data structure based on knowledge of the association between the data identifying the electronic device and the code.

A computer program product comprising program code stored on a non-transitory data storage medium, wherein execution of the program code on a processor causes the processor to:

• receive data identifying an electronic device and destination information for forwarding a code to a user, in response to the user providing the destination information to a user interface prompt displayed on the electronic device when attempting to authenticate against an access point accessible via the electronic device;
• generate the code, in response to receiving the destination information and data identifying the electronic device;
• associate the code with the data identifying the electronic device;
• and
• forward the code in a message to a destination associated with the destination information, wherein the code is retrieved from the message when the message is received,
• receive the code transmitted by way of the electronic device to an authentication server;
• and
• authenticate the user against the access point, in response to determining that the code matches records stored in a data structure based on knowledge of the association between the data identifying the electronic device and the code.