Method and apparatus for connection to virtual private networks for secure transactions

A system for establishing one or more private communication relationships between a consumer and one or more companies, the system comprising:

• a web page implemented by a server and accessible by a consumer using a consumer identifier assigned to the consumer, the web page including a list of companies available for one or more private communication relationships;
• and
• a security manager, implemented using a tangible computer readable storage medium, to receive a selection from the list of companies on the web page indicating a request by the consumer for a first private communication relationship with a first one of the companies, the security manager to provide the first company with a number of private communication relationships associated with the consumer and managed by the security manager in response to the request, wherein the number or private communication relationships associated with the consumer and managed by the security manager comprises a private communication relationship established with a second company other than the first company, and wherein, when the consumer requests a second private communication relationship with a third company that is not registered with the security manager to conduct private communication relationships, the security manager is to request the third company to participate in private communication relationships with consumers registered with the security manager.

A method of establishing a private communication relationship between a consumer communication device and a first company, the method comprising:

• tracking a number of private communication relationships established between a first consumer and at least one of a plurality of companies registered with a security manager;
• receiving a request from the first consumer to establish a first private communication relationship with a first one of the companies registered with the security manager;
• in response to the request, providing the first company with the tracked number of private communication relationships managed by the security manager that include the first consumer;
• when the first company authorizes the first consumer after being provided the tracked number, establishing the requested first private communication relationship between the first consumer and the first company using a programmed processor;
• and
• when the consumer requests a second private communication relationship with a third company that is not registered with the security manager to conduct private communication relationships, the security manager is to request the third company to participate in private communication relationships with consumers registered with the security manager.