A system and method for access control is provided. In one embodiment, a
system includes a computing device connected to an access server that
controls the ability of the computing device to access to a computing
resource, such as the Internet. The access server connects to an
activation server via a network. The activation server is operable to
receive a request for to generate a certificate for the computing device
from the activation server. The activation server is operable to generate
the certificate and embed a unique identifier of the computing device
and/or the access server and/or the like inside the certificate. Once
generated, the certificate is installed in the computing device. When the
computing device initiates a request to access the computing resource,
the computing device initially sends the certificate to the access
server. If the certificate received by the access server does not include
the expected unique identifier(s), then access to the computing resource
is prevented and/or restricted. If the key received by the access server
includes the expected unique identifier(s), then access to the computing
resource is permitted.