JP2007011942A - User authentication information linkage system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user authentication information linkage system, an information processor, a user authentication linking method, a linkage application setup system, a linkage application setup method, a program and a recording medium capable of further reflecting user authentication information to that of a linking application by linkage application information set up for each user when the user changes the user authentication information of the application. <P>SOLUTION: In this user authentication information linkage system in which computers are connected to each other through a network, an application server which receives a setup and a change of user authentication information including a password etc. from a user's client computer can set up and change the user authentication information linking as that of the other application server. An information processor is made to function as the user authentication information linkage system achieving a user authentication information linkage service. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  A user who realizes a user authentication information linkage service via a network that allows user authentication information (for example, password) of an application to be reflected in the user authentication information of the linked application when the user changes the user authentication information The present invention relates to an authentication information cooperation system, an information processing apparatus, a user authentication information cooperation method, a cooperation application setting system, a cooperation application setting method, a program, and a storage medium.

  With the recent development of the Internet environment, an environment where anyone can easily send and receive e-mails using the Internet and browse the WWW (World Wide Web) in various places such as homes, companies, and outdoors has been established. ing.

  In addition, enterprises are working to speed up and improve the efficiency of operations through intranets and extranets, and construct and operate client / server and three-tier business systems using networks.

  In such systems and services, when using these, user authentication information such as a user-specific ID and password is input, and the input information is used to determine whether or not the user is qualified. Is usually done.

  In order to use various systems and services (hereinafter collectively referred to as systems), the user needs to store a plurality of sets of user authentication information such as IDs and passwords corresponding to the respective systems.

  Conventionally, single sign-on (hereinafter referred to as SSO) technology that enables login to multiple applications with a single set of user IDs and passwords as a means to simplify user operations for multiple systems It was common to use.

Furthermore, as a means to realize authentication control for improving security in an environment using a plurality of systems, input identification information input by a user and unique identification information recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card And authentication information corresponding to a plurality of systems is set as input information for authentication processing in accordance with the comparison result (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-22702

  However, in the SSO, which is the conventional technology described above, an authentication server for performing user authentication must be constructed separately from each application, which is suitable for cooperation between large-scale applications. There was not much merit in application cooperation. In addition, SSO is a mechanism that does not require authentication of another application based on information authenticated by an application, and it has not been possible to realize cooperation of application user authentication information.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to record user authentication information corresponding to a plurality of applications on a recording medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card, and to always pass through an authentication application, each application has authentication information. It was a trigger for change, and it was not possible to link authentication information changes in both directions. Also, the same user authentication information in the same application (for example, when the administrator user and the general user have duplicate user authentication information) cannot be set.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points. When the user changes the user authentication information of the application, the application in which the user authentication information is linked by the linked application information set for each user. It is intended to provide a user authentication information linkage system, an information processing apparatus, a user authentication information linkage method, a linked application setting system, a linked application setting method, a program, and a storage medium that can be reflected in user authentication information .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention has the following configuration.

On the application server that accepts changes in user authentication information such as passwords from the user, a screen control unit that displays a screen that allows the user to set user authentication information such as a user ID and password, and accepts changes in user authentication information, and a user A user authentication information linkage module comprising a user authentication information linkage processing unit for requesting a change of user authentication information to a linkage application associated with the user ID set by the user and linked to the user ID set by the user;
In the application server that accepts the settings of the linked application from the user, a screen that displays a screen for setting the user ID and the linked application to the user and accepts the setting of the linked application, and the linkage associated with the user ID specified by the user A linked application setting module comprising a linked application setting processing unit for setting an application;
A user authentication information storage device comprising a user authentication information storage unit for storing set user authentication information and a cooperative application information storage unit for storing the set cooperative application;
Etc.

  In more detail, the present invention can solve the above problems by the following configuration.

  (1) A user authentication information linkage system in which computers are connected to each other via a network, and user authentication is performed by an application server that accepts setting and changing of user authentication information including a password from a user client computer via the network. A user authentication information linkage system characterized in that setting and changing information can be set and changed in cooperation with user authentication information of another application server.

  (2) An information processing apparatus as a server for linking user authentication information connected to each other via a network, and setting and changing user authentication information including a password from the user's client computer via the network Processing apparatus having a user authentication information cooperation module that can set and change user authentication information setting and change as user authentication information of another application server in an application server that accepts .

  (3) A user authentication information linkage method implemented by a configuration in which computers are connected to each other via a network, and accepts setting and changing of user authentication information including a password from the user's client computer via the network. A user authentication information linkage method characterized in that, in an application server, setting and changing user authentication information can be set and changed in cooperation with user authentication information of another application server.

  (4) A program for causing an information processing apparatus as a server to link user authentication information connected to each other via a network to function as a server, including a password or the like from the user's client computer via the network An application server that accepts authentication information settings and changes has a user authentication information linkage module that can set and change user authentication information settings and changes as user authentication information of other application servers. A program for functioning as a characteristic information processing apparatus.

  (5) A storage medium storing the program according to (4) so as to be readable by a computer.

  (6) A cooperative application setting system in which computers are connected to each other via a network, wherein a user can set a cooperative application of user authentication information from a client computer via the network Application configuration system.

  (7) An information processing apparatus as a server for setting linked applications that are connected to each other via a network. A user can set a linked application for user authentication information from a client computer via the network. An information processing apparatus having a cooperative application setting module.

  (8) A collaborative application setting method implemented by a configuration in which computers are connected to each other via a network, and a user can set a collaborative application of user authentication information from a client computer via a network. A cooperative application setting method characterized by that.

  (9) A program for causing an information processing apparatus as a server for setting a cooperative application connected to each other via a network to function as a server, in which a user authenticates a user authentication information via a network from a client computer A program for causing an information processing apparatus to function as an information processing apparatus having a cooperative application setting module that can set a user ID.

  (10) A storage medium storing the program according to (9) so as to be readable by a computer.

  Unlike the methods listed as problems in the prior art, when sharing user authentication information such as passwords for each application, it is not necessary to set user authentication information for each application individually, and it is necessary to construct an SSO environment. Nor.

  In addition, the user authentication information changed using one application can be reflected in the user authentication information of the linked application, saving the user from having to change the user authentication information for multiple applications. Can do. Similarly, when there are a plurality of identical user authentication information in the same application, it is possible to save time and effort.

  Furthermore, the user authentication information of an application that is not frequently used, such as an old version application at the time of version migration, is also changed unconsciously, improving security.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 also shows the user authentication information of an application that cooperates with the user authentication information by the cooperative application information set for each user when the user of the present embodiment changes the user authentication information such as the application password. It is a system configuration diagram for explaining a user authentication information linkage system for realizing a user authentication information linkage service via a network that can be reflected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a client computer 101 and application servers 102 (1), 102 (2),..., 102 (N) are connected via a network 100 such as the Internet.

  The application servers 102 (1), 102 (2),..., 102 (N) each have the same configuration. Therefore, in order to simplify the description here, a plurality of application servers 102 (1), When referring to the application server identified in 102 (2),..., 102 (N), it is referred to as application server 102 (X). In addition, when referring to all of the plurality of application servers 102 (1), 102 (2),..., 102 (N), they are simply referred to as application server 102.

  The application server 102 is configured by an information processing apparatus (computer) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, and the like as will be described later. The client computer 101 is configured by a general information processing apparatus (computer) having a network browsing means. In the present embodiment, the network 100 will be described using the Internet as an example, but other network systems such as a LAN (Local Area Network) may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the application server 102.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) that controls processing and control of the information processing apparatus. Reference numeral 202 denotes a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM), which functions as a main memory of the CPU 201 and as an execution program area, an execution area of the program, and a data area.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) that stores an operation processing procedure of the CPU 201. The ROM 203 includes a program ROM that records basic software (OS) that is a system program for controlling the equipment of the information processing apparatus, and a data ROM that records information necessary for operating the system. Further, an HDD 209 described later may be used instead of the ROM 203.

  A network interface (NETIF) 204 performs control for performing data transfer between information processing apparatuses via the network and diagnoses connection status. Reference numeral 205 denotes a video RAM (VRAM), which develops an image to be displayed on the screen of the CRT 206 indicating the operating state of the information processing apparatus, which will be described later, and controls its display.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a display device such as a display (hereinafter referred to as CRT). Reference numeral 207 denotes a controller (hereinafter referred to as KBC) for controlling an input signal from the external input device 208. Reference numeral 208 denotes an external input device (hereinafter referred to as KBC) for accepting an operation performed by the user, and for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse is used.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD), which is used for storing application programs and various data. The application program in the present embodiment is a software program that executes various processing means in the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes an external input / output device (hereinafter referred to as FDD), which inputs / outputs a removable disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, CD-ROM drive, etc., and reads from the above application program medium. Used for etc.

  Reference numeral 213 denotes a magnetic recording medium (for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk or an external hard disk) read by the FDD 210, an optical recording medium (for example, CD-ROM), a magneto-optical recording medium (for example, MO), a semiconductor recording medium (for example). For example, it is a removable data recording device (removable medium) such as a memory card (hereinafter referred to as FD). Note that application programs and data stored in the HDD 209 can be stored in the FDD 210 and used.

  Reference numeral 211 denotes a controller (hereinafter referred to as PRTC) for controlling an output signal to the PRT 212 described later. Reference numeral 212 denotes a printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as PRT), for example, LBP (Laser Beam Printer) or the like. Reference numeral 200 denotes a transmission bus (address bus, data bus, input / output bus, and control bus) for connecting the above-described units.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a processing module group operating in the application server 102 in the user authentication information cooperation system according to the present embodiment, a storage device for storing information, control between the processing module group and the storage device, and a flow of information. FIG.

  In the figure, reference numerals 302 and 305 denote processing modules. These processing modules are read from the ROM 203, HDD 209, or FDD 210 shown in FIG. 2, loaded into the RAM 202, and used as a part of the application program used by the CPU 201 or a module.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 308 denotes an information storage device, which stores information using at least one of the HDD 209, the RAM 202, and the FDD 210 in the application server 102 using a file system or a database system. In addition, the information stored in the information storage device 308 can be directly accessed with specific keys and conditions.

  The arrows shown in FIG. 3 represent the main ones among the control and information flow between the processing modules.

  The relationship between the information processing device (application server 102) and the processing modules and information storage devices therein is automatically started or expanded in the RAM 202 as needed through the KBC 207 according to information and instructions input from the KB 208 by the operator. To the CPU 201. The processing modules calculated by the CPU 201 and the information stored in the information storage device are expanded from the ROM 203, HDD 209, FDD 210, or RAM 202 to the RAM 202 and transmitted to the CPU 201. The calculation result information is written in an information storage device existing in the FDD 210 or the like. At the same time, when the result calculated by the CPU 201 is necessary, the result information is displayed on the CRT 206 via the VRAM 205. Transmission among the CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, NETIF 204, VRAM 205, KBC 207, HDD 209, and FDD 210 is performed through the transmission bus 200.

  The network 100 that connects the client computer 101, the application server 102, and the application server 102 is a general network system. In this embodiment, a LAN (Local Area Network) is used. Other network systems may be used.

  In FIG. 3, the user who wants to change the user authentication information of the application (which will be described below using “password” as an example in this embodiment) on the client computer 101 uses the network browsing means 301 capable of browsing the Internet. It requests the user authentication information cooperation module 302 of the server 102 (1) to change the password. The screen control unit 303 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302 of the application server 102 (1) displays a screen for allowing the user to set user authentication information such as a user ID, an old password before change, and a new password after change. When the password change is accepted, the user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302 is stored in the user authentication information storage unit 309 of the user authentication information storage device 308 associated with the user ID set by the user. Change the password to the new password entered.

  The user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302 of the application server 102 (1) is set in the cooperation application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308 associated with the user ID set by the user. The user ID and the old password before the change for the user authentication information linkage module 302 of the linkage application (which will be described below as an example when it is set to “application server 102 (X)” in this embodiment) Specify the user authentication information such as the new password after the change and request the password change.

  When the user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302 of the application server 102 (X) receives a request for changing the user authentication information from the application server 102 (1), the user designated by the application server 102 (1). The password stored in the user authentication information storage unit 309 of the user authentication information storage device 308 associated with the ID is changed to a new password specified by the application server 102 (1).

  The user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302 of the application server 102 (X) is associated with the user ID specified by the application server 102 (1), and the cooperation application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308. User authentication information linkage of the user authentication information linkage module 302 of the linkage application set in the above (in the present embodiment, the case where it is set as “another application server 102 (X)”) will be described as an example. The processing unit 304 is requested to change the password by specifying user authentication information such as a user ID, an old password before change, and a new password after change.

  The above is repeated until the cooperative application is not set or invalid in the cooperative application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308 of the application server 102 (the description is omitted because it is the same content).

  Further, a user who wants to set a cooperative application on the client computer 101 requests the cooperative application setting module 305 of the application server 102 (1) to set a cooperative application using the network browsing means 301 that can browse the Internet. When the screen control unit 306 of the cooperative application setting module 305 of the application server 102 (1) displays a screen for setting a user ID, a cooperative application, and the like for the user and receives the setting of the cooperative application, the cooperative application setting module 305. The cooperative application setting processing unit 307 stores the cooperative application information set by the user in the cooperative application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308.

  4 shows the user authentication information storage unit 309 of the user authentication information storage device 308 of the application server 102, the cooperative application information storage unit 310, and the user authentication information transmitted from the application server 102 (1) to the application server 102 (X). It is a figure which shows the example of a format of cooperation information.

  The user authentication information table 404 includes a user ID 401 and a password 402 that specify a user. The cooperative application information table 405 includes a cooperative application 403 that identifies an application that cooperates with the user ID 401. The table may be integrated with the user authentication information linkage information table 400 including the user ID 401, the password 402, the linkage application 403, and the like.

  5 is displayed on the CRT 206 by the screen control unit 303 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302 of the application server 102, and a password is stored in the application server 102 using the network browsing means 301 that allows the user to browse the Internet on the client computer 101. An example of a password change screen image that is displayed when a change is requested and is operated to change the password is shown.

  In the password change screen image 500 of FIG. 5, the user sets user authentication information 501 such as a user ID 501 (1), an old password 501 (2), a new password 501 (3), and a new password confirmation input 501 (4). When the “change password” button 502 is pressed, the user authentication information 501 set on the screen is passed to the user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302, whereby the user authentication information is stored in the user authentication information storage device. The user authentication information is stored in the user authentication information linkage module 302 of the linked application stored in the linked application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308 registered in the user authentication information storage unit 309 and associated with the user ID. Request a change, Pressing the Cancel "button 503, the user authentication information 501 that has been set on the screen is discarded.

  6 is displayed on the CRT 206 by the screen control unit 306 of the cooperative application setting module 305 of the application server 102 and is displayed on the CRT 206 by the client computer 101 using the network browsing means 301 that allows the user to browse the Internet. An example of a cooperative application setting screen image that is displayed when a setting is requested and that is operated to perform setting of the cooperative application is shown.

  The linked application setting screen image 600 of FIG. 6 displays a user list 602 in which a linked application is set by the screen control unit 306 of the linked application setting module 305, and the user selects a user in the user list 602 and links. When setting the application 601 (2) or setting a new cooperative application, the user ID 601 (1) and the cooperative application 601 (2) are set, and when the “set” button 603 is pressed, the setting is made on the screen. By transferring the linked application information to the linked application setting processing unit 307 of the linked application setting module 305, the linked application information is stored in the linked application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308. It is recorded, and presses the "cancel" button 604, the cooperative application information set on the screen is discarded.

  Hereinafter, the outline of each process will be described again in order using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

  FIG. 7 shows a series of processes from when the user sets user authentication information on the screen displayed by the application server 102 on the client computer 101 and presses the “change password” button until the update result is displayed. An overview of the flow is shown.

  First, in step S <b> 1, the screen control unit 303 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302, which is a program that can be used by being read from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 (1) into the RAM 202, is displayed on the CRT 206 of the client computer 101. The user authentication information 501 such as the user ID 501 (1), the old password 501 (2), the new password 501 (3), and the new password confirmation input 501 (4) is set on the password change screen 500 being used.

  In step S2, the screen control unit 303 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302, which is a program that can be read and used from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 (1) to the RAM 202, is displayed on the CRT 206 of the client computer 101. On the existing password change screen 500, a “change password” button 502 is pressed.

  In step S3, the user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302, which is a program that is read from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 (1) into the RAM 202 and can be used, the user ID 501 (1) set by the user. The password 402 stored in the user authentication information storage unit 309 of the user authentication information storage device 308 associated with the password is changed to a new password 501 (3) set by the user.

  In step S4, the user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302, which is a program that is read from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 (1) into the RAM 202 and can be used, the user ID 501 (1) set by the user. The cooperative application 403 set in the cooperative application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308 associated with is searched, and it is determined whether or not the cooperative application is set.

  When step S4 is YES, the user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302, which is a program that can be read and used from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 (1) in step S5, is displayed by the user. For the user authentication information cooperation module 302 of the cooperation application 403 (here, the application server 102 (X)) set in the cooperation application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308 associated with the set user ID 501 (1). The user authentication information 501 is designated to request a password change.

  If step S4 is NO, step S8 is performed.

  The user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302, which is a program that is read from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 (X) requested to change the password in step S6 into the RAM 202 and can be used, is used by the application server 102. The password 402 stored in the user authentication information storage unit 309 of the user authentication information storage device 308 associated with the user ID 501 (1) specified by (1) is the old password 501 (2 specified by the application server 102 (1). ) To verify whether it matches. If authenticated, the password 402 stored in the user authentication information storage unit 309 of the user authentication information storage device 308 associated with the user ID 501 (1) designated by the application server 102 (1) is stored in the application server 102 (1). Change to the specified new password 501 (3).

  In step S7, the user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302, which is a program that is read from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 (X) into the RAM 202 and can be used, is designated by the application server 102 (1). The cooperative application 403 set in the cooperative application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308 associated with the user ID 501 (1) is searched to determine whether the cooperative application is set.

  If step S7 is YES, step S5 is performed.

  When step S7 is NO, the user authentication information cooperation processing unit 304 of the user authentication information cooperation module 302, which is a program that can be used by being read from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 (1) into the RAM 202 in step S8, Is displayed to the user.

  FIG. 8 shows a series of processing flow from when the user sets the cooperative application information on the screen displayed by the application server 102 on the client computer 101 and presses the “Setting” button until the setting result is displayed. Represents an overview of

  First, in step S <b> 1, the cooperation displayed on the CRT 206 of the client computer 101 by the screen control unit 306 of the cooperation application setting module 305, which is a program that can be read and used from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 to the RAM 202. In the application setting screen 600, when a user in the user list 602 is selected and linked application information such as the linked application 601 (2) is set or a new linked application is set, the user ID 601 (1) and the linked application information are set. Linked application information such as application 601 (2) is set.

  In step S <b> 2, the cooperative application setting displayed on the CRT 206 of the client computer 101 by the screen control unit 306 of the cooperative application setting module 305, which is a program that can be read and used by the user from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 to the RAM 202. On the screen 600, a “setting” button 603 is pressed.

  In step S 3, the cooperative application setting processing unit 307 of the cooperative application setting module 305, which is a program that can be used by being read from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 into the RAM 202, is stored in the cooperative application information storage unit 310 of the user authentication information storage device 308. The user ID set by the user is associated with the cooperative application and stored as the cooperative application information 405.

  In step S4, the cooperative application setting processing unit 307 of the cooperative application setting module 305, which is a program that can be used by being read from the program ROM 203 of the application server 102 into the RAM 202, displays the setting result to the user.

When a user changes user authentication information such as an application password, the user authentication information can be reflected in the user authentication information of the linked application by the linked application information set for each user. System configuration diagram for explaining a user authentication information linkage system for realizing a user authentication information linkage service via a network The figure which shows the specific structural example of the application server 102 A diagram for explaining a processing module group and a storage device for storing information, a control between the processing module group and the storage device, and a flow of information The figure which shows the format of user authentication information storage part 309 grade | etc., The figure which shows the example of the password change screen image of the application server 102 The figure which shows the example of the cooperation application setting screen image of the application server 102 A flowchart showing a series of processing from when the user sets user authentication information on the screen displayed by the application server 102 until the update result is displayed. A flowchart showing a series of processing from when the user sets cooperative application information on the screen displayed by the application server 102 until the setting result is displayed.

Explanation of symbols

100 Network 101 Client Computer 102 Application Server 200 Control Bus 201 CPU (Central Control Unit)
202 RAM (Read / Write memory as needed)
203 ROM (read only memory)
204 NETIF (network interface)
205 VRAM (video RAM)
206 CRT (display)
207 KBC (keyboard controller)
208 KB (keyboard)
209 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
210 FD (flexible disk) drive 211 PRTC (printer controller)
212 PRT (printer)
213 FD
301 Network browsing means 302 User authentication information cooperation module 303 Screen control unit 304 User authentication information cooperation processing unit 305 Cooperation application setting module 306 Screen control unit 307 Cooperation application setting processing unit 308 User authentication information storage device 309 User authentication information storage unit 310 Cooperation Application information storage unit 400 Format 401 of user authentication information linkage information User ID
402 Password 403 Cooperation application 404 User authentication information format 405 Cooperation application information format 500 Password change screen image 501 User authentication information 501 (1) User ID
501 (2) Old password 501 (3) New password 501 (4) New password confirmation input 502 Password change button image 503 Cancel button image 600 Linked application setting screen image 601 Linked application information 601 (1) User ID
601 (2) Cooperation application 602 User list 603 Setting button image 604 Cancel button image

Claims (10)

  Setting of user authentication information in an application server that is a user authentication information linkage system in which computers are connected to each other via a network and accepts setting and changing of user authentication information including a password from a user client computer via the network And a user authentication information linkage system characterized in that it can be set and changed in cooperation with user authentication information of another application server.   An information processing apparatus serving as a server for linking user authentication information connected to each other via a network, and an application that accepts setting and changing of user authentication information including a password from a user client computer via the network An information processing apparatus having a user authentication information cooperation module that enables setting and changing user authentication information setting and changing as user authentication information of another application server in a server.   A user authentication information linkage method implemented by a configuration in which computers are connected to each other via a network, in an application server that accepts setting and changing of user authentication information including a password from a user client computer via a network A user authentication information linkage method characterized in that setting and changing user authentication information can be set and changed in cooperation with other application server user authentication information.   A program for functioning an information processing apparatus as a server that cooperates with user authentication information connected to each other via a network, and includes a user authentication information including a password from the user's client computer via the network. An application server that accepts settings and changes has a user authentication information linkage module that can set and change user authentication information settings and changes as user authentication information of other application servers. A program for functioning as an information processing apparatus.   A storage medium storing the program according to claim 4 in a computer-readable manner.   A cooperative application setting system in which computers are connected to each other via a network, and a user can set a cooperative application of user authentication information from a client computer via the network. .   An information processing apparatus as a server for setting linked applications that are connected to each other via a network, and allows a user to set a linked application for user authentication information from a client computer via the network An information processing apparatus having an application setting module.   A collaborative application setting method implemented by a configuration in which computers are connected to each other via a network, wherein a user can set a collaborative application of user authentication information from a client computer via a network. Linked application setting method.   A program for functioning an information processing apparatus as a server for setting linked applications connected to each other via a network. A user sets a linked application for user authentication information from a client computer via a network. A program for causing an information processing apparatus to function as an information processing apparatus having a cooperative application setting module.   A storage medium storing the program according to claim 9 in a computer-readable manner.