Image forming apparatus and access control method between an image forming apparatus and a device external to the image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a communication portion for communicating data to a device external of said image forming apparatus and for receiving data from said device;
• a storage portion for storing first reference information including at least one of first identification information indicating prohibition of access from said device to said image forming apparatus and first identification information indicating permission of access from said device to said image forming apparatus;
• an authentication portion for determining, when a connection request including sender identification information is received from said device via said communication portion, whether access from said device to said image forming apparatus in response to said connection request is permitted, by comparing said sender identification information with said first reference information;
• a consumable product separate from said device and having a structure that contributes to formation of an image by said image forming apparatus, wherein said consumable product comprises second reference information;
• and
• a reading portion for reading said second reference information from said consumable product, to which said second reference information including at least one of second identification information indicating prohibition of access from said device to said image forming apparatus and second identification information indicating permission of access from said device to said image forming apparatus has been provided, and updating said first reference information stored in said storage portion based on said second reference information.