A method of manufacturing devices that generate digital signatures such
that each device may be reliably and uniquely identified includes
creating a public-private key pair within each device during manufacture;
exporting only the public key from the device; retaining the private key
within the device against the possibility of divulgement thereof by the
device; and securely linking said exported public key with other
information within the environment of the manufacture of the device,
whereby each device is securely bound with its respective public key. A
database of PuK-linked account information of users is maintained. The
PuK-linked account information for each user includes a public key of
such a device; information securely linked with the public key during
manufacture; and third-party account identifiers, each of which
identifies an account to a third-party of the user maintained with the
third-party that has been associated with the user's public key by the
third-party.