A system for accessing multiple different network stations without entry
of a password is provided. The password is obtainable by use of a portion
of an asymmetric crypto-key. A first station, representing any network
entity, transmits an authentication request of a user seeking access. A
second station, representing the user, forwards the request and user
identity information to a third station. The third station, representing
a sponsor, matches the transmitted identity information with stored
identity information, generates a certificate, and transmits the
certificate. The second station further transmits the certificate to the
first station. To provide the password, each of the stations encrypt and
decrypt messages utilizing different ones of an asymmetric crypto-key
having a public key portion and first and second private key portions,
the first private portion used to obtain the password, first and second
symmetric crypto-keys, and a combination symmetric crypto-key
corresponding to the first symmetric crypto-key.