Disclosed is a security device coupled to a computing device, which is, in
turn, coupled to a server through a computer network. The security device
stores a serial number associated with the security device and a user key
associated with the serial number. When the computing device attempts to
log onto the server over the computer network, the server requests a
serial number from the security device. If the serial number is stored
within a user information database, the server obtains an associated user
key and computes a challenge. Further, the server computes an expected
response for the security device based on the associated user key. The
server then sends the challenge to the security device over the computer
network. If the server receives a response back from the security device
that matches the expected response, the server will allow the computing
device to log onto the server.