The present invention comprises a system and method for secure session
management and authentication between web sites and web clients. The
method includes both secure and non-secure communication protocols, means
for switching between secure and non-secure communication protocols, a
session cookie and an authcode cookie. The session cookie is used for
session management and the authcode cookie is used for authentication.
The session cookie is transmitted using a non-secure communication
protocol when the web client accesses a non-secure web page, whereas, the
authcode cookie is transmitted using a secure communication protocol when
the web client accesses a secure web page. Session management
architecture and usage of two distinct cookies along with both secure and
non-secure communication protocols prevents unauthorized users from
accessing sensitive web client or web site information.