User authentication in a mobile environment

A tangible computer-readable storage device comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed, cause at least one processor on a computing device to carry out a method for authenticating users in a mobile network environment, the method comprising:

• receiving a direction from a first user to authenticate the first user to a second user, wherein the direction from the first user to authenticate the first user to the second user is received while the first user and the second user are in communication via a voice channel;
• generating an authentication request in response to the direction of the first user, wherein while the first user is substantially concurrently communicating with the second user via the voice channel the authentication request requests authentication of the first user to the second user comprises identity information for the first user;
• sending the authentication request from the computing device to a trusted third party authentication server via a data channel while substantially concurrently communicating with the second user via the voice channel;
• and
• receiving an authentication message from the trusted third party authentication server via the data channel while substantially concurrently communication with the second user via the voice channel, wherein the authentication message from the trusted third party authentication server includes authentication of the second user to the first user.

A computer-implemented method of an authentication server for enabling authentication between a first and second user in a mobile network environment substantially concurrently with a voice channel communication between the first and the second users, the method comprising:

• receiving an authentication request over the data channel from the first user substantially concurrently with a voice channel communication between the first user and the second user, the authentication request requesting authentication of the first user to the second user after communication between the first user and the second user has been initiated and established over the voice channel;
• authenticating, by the authentication server, the first user according to the authentication request;
• in response to successfully authenticating the first user, sending a message to the second user authenticating the first user via the data channel substantially concurrently with the voice channel communication between the first user and the second user;
• determining that authentication of the second user to the first user is requested;
• receiving a confirmation message from the second user to authenticate the second user to the first user;
• authenticating the second user according to the confirmation message from the second user;
• and
• providing the authentication results of the second user to the first user.