Information processing methods, systems and ancillary apparatus are disclosed which are generally concerned with the principle of making use of verified information concerning a user whose identity has been verified and stored on a secure server. The server effectively provides a point of presence which third parties may make use of to send or receive information to or from or concerning a specific user reliably, whilst enabling the user to retain control over the information, typically by means of a key such as a smartcard. This may facilitate a variety of transactions over a network, such as the Internet, which would otherwise require separate verification processes to provide the same level of reliability and thereby lead to a surprising improvement in efficiency of the network.