A server and a computer are connected to a network. User data may be used to
establish
a state between a server and a user operating the computer. Secure network user
states includes creating a first key from a received user key; encrypting user
data with the cryptographic key; storing the encrypted user data in a cookie; and
sending the cookie to the computer; such that subsequently, a secure state between
the server and the user is established by receiving the cookie and the user key
from the computer; creating a second key that matches the first key; decrypting,
using the second key, encrypted user data extracted from the cookie; and establishing
the secure state based on the decrypted user data. A key is created in any repeatable
manner, which mathematically must include at least one insertion or deletion. Optionally,
user data may be seeded to heighten security of the state.
