Method and system for authenticating internet user identity

Abstract

A method and system for authenticating an Internet user identity, by cross-referencing and comparing at least two independent sources of information. A first geographical location of computer signature of an Internet user is identified and the geographical location of a communication voice device of said Internet user is identified to determine a second location. The first and second locations are compared for geographical proximity to confirm the identity of the Internet user. Based upon geographical proximity of said locations, a score is assigned to the Internet user, and access to a website is allowed or limited based upon said score. Alternatively, additional authentication information can be required or access can be terminated.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A computer-implemented method of assigning a geographical location to an Internet user, who is using a mobile voice device, via WiFi, to connect to a website, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
 (a) upon a first connection of the mobile voice device to the website, identifying, by means of the website, a computer signature of the Internet user, said computer signature comprising at least one identifier previously installed on the mobile voice device before the Internet user accessed the website, wherein the computer signature does not have a wireless geographical location assigned to it;   (b) assigning, by means of the website, a geographical location to said computer signature, wherein the geographical location has been determined by WiFi positioning apparatus external to the mobile voice device;   (c) upon a second connection of the Internet user, identifying via the website the computer signature of the Internet user; and   (d) locating the Internet user at the geographical location assigned to the computer signature by the website in step (b).   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the computer signature further comprises at least one unique software identifier. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least one unique software identifier is (a) a software serial number, and/or (b) an operating system serial number. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the computer signature further comprises at least one common software identifier. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least one common software identifier is one of the following:
 a) one or more common software components in the Internet user's computer;   b) a unique computer identifier comprising a combination of common identifiers;   c) an operating system version;   d) an Internet browser version; and   e) operating system patches.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the computer signature further comprises at least one unique hardware identifier. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein at least one unique hardware identifier is one of the following:
 a) a hardware serial number;   b) a Mac Address; and   c) a CPU serial number.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the computer signature further comprises at least one common hardware identifier. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least one common hardware identifier is one of the following:
 a) disk size;   b) installed hardware;   c) network card speed;   d) CPU serial number;   e) CPU speed;   f) memory size; and   g) virtual memory size.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the computer signature further comprises two or more of:
 a) a unique software identifier;   b) a common software identifier;   c) a unique hardware identifier; and   d) a common hardware identifier.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of locating a router's IP address geographical location by identifying an IP address of the router used by the mobile voice device to access the Internet, wherein the geographical location assigned to the computer signature is used to determine the IP address geographical location. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of authenticating the Internet user.