The invention features a method for providing a user access to a secure application. The invention stores in an encrypted form the authentication information necessary to satisfy the authentication requirements of the secure application. When the user requests access to the secure application, the user is presented at his or her display with a request for authentication. The user must manipulate at least a portion of the symbol to respond properly to the authentication request. The user's manipulation(s) of the symbol(s) generate a CodeKey used to decrypt the encrypted stored authentication information into a result. After the result is created, it is provided to the secure application. If the result support's the secure application's authentication requirements (i.e., if the CodeKey has properly decrypted the encrypted stored authentication information), the user will be granted access to the secure application. The invention therefore provides a simple, secure and effective method for a user to gain access to a multitude of secure applications without having to recall a series of complicated passwords.
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