An authentication method provides a segment forming an executable authentication plug-in previously authenticated by at least one authentication function from an authentication library and linked to a plurality of segments in accordance with a chaining relationship. In response to a request for authentication of a plurality of segments chained in accordance with the chaining relationship in this way, the method authenticates each successive segment and, in the case of a segment requiring the authentication plug-in, it executes the authentication plug-in in order to authenticate the segment submitted in this way to the authentication plug-in.