In a password authenticating apparatus, a control section displays an
image of a keyboard including multiple character keys on a display
section. An input section sends input data to the control section on
reception of an input of a position on a display screen. In connection
with the displayed keyboard, the control section specifies a character
corresponding to the input position as an input character, checks the
input character against a character that forms a registered password,
determines whether the input character is correct, and holds a
determination result. Then, after the input character is determined, a
display is changed to an image of the keyboard for receiving a next
character input. Then, in connection with all characters that form the
password, authentication is determined as being OK when all held
determination results are correct.