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.