Authentication information encryption server apparatuses, systems non-transitory computer readable mediums and methods for improving password security

1. An authentication server apparatus connected to a terminal device through a network, the authentication server apparatus comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions stored thereon; and

at least one processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to,

store, in the memory, a plurality of pattern descriptions in a pattern information table, the plurality of pattern descriptions collectively including combinations of characters possible for a set character set used for an authentication password, each of the plurality of pattern descriptions associated with a pattern identifier (ID) in the pattern information table,

receive a user authentication password for authenticating a user of the terminal device from the terminal device,

encrypt the received user authentication password,

divide characters of the encrypted user authentication password into a plurality of groups,

associate the divided groups of characters with group identifier (IDs) of the respective groups in the pattern information table,

generate, based on the received user authentication password, an authentication code composed of a string of the group IDs associated with the divided groups, the authentication code generated on a pattern description-by-pattern description basis,

encrypt the generated authentication code,

store the encrypted authentication code in association with a user ID corresponding to the user in the memory and not storing the received user authentication password in the memory,

transmit data of an authentication screen including one of the pattern IDs of the pattern descriptions retrieved from the memory to the terminal device, in response to a display request of the authentication screen from the terminal device,

receive user input of a password from the terminal device using the authentication screen, and

authenticate the user based on the string of the group IDs corresponding to the password input by the user on the authentication screen and the stored encrypted authentication code, associated with the user ID corresponding to the user, corresponding to the transmitted one of the pattern IDs of the pattern descriptions.

2. The authentication server apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to delete the encrypted user authentication password after the authentication code is generated.

3. The authentication server apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

encrypt the string of the group IDs;

delete the encrypted user authentication password after the authentication codes composed of the encrypted string of the group IDs are generated; and

authenticate the user based on the encrypted string of the group IDs.

4. The authentication server apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to store the encrypted string of the group IDs in a storage area of the memory, the encrypted string of the group IDs associated with the user.

5. The authentication server apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the storage area is disposed in an apparatus other than the authentication server apparatus.

6. The authentication server apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit data of the authentication screen including another pattern description retrieved from the memory to the terminal device, upon a user authentication resulting in failure.

7. An authentication method comprising:

storing, using at least one processor, a plurality of pattern descriptions in a pattern information table on a storage device, the plurality of pattern descriptions collectively including combinations of characters possible for a set character set used for an authentication password, each of the plurality of pattern descriptions associated with a pattern identifier (ID) in the pattern information table;

receiving, using the at least one processor, a user authentication password for authenticating a user of a terminal device from the terminal device;

encrypting, using the at least one processor, the received user authentication password;

dividing, using at least one processor, characters of the encrypted user authentication password into a plurality of groups;

associating, using the at least one processor, the divided groups of characters with group identifiers (IDs) of the respective groups in the pattern information table;

generating, using the at least one processor, based on the received user authentication password, an authentication code composed of a string of the group IDs associated with the divided groups in response to the user inputting the authentication password for registration, the authentication code generated on a pattern description—by—pattern description basis;

encrypting, using the at least one processor, the generated authentication code;

storing, using the at least one processor, the encrypted authentication code in association with a user ID corresponding to the user in the storage device and not storing the received user authentication password in the storage device;

transmitting, using the at least one processor, data of an authentication screen including one of the pattern IDs of the pattern descriptions retrieved from the storage device to the terminal device, in response to a display request of the authentication screen from the terminal device;

receiving, using the at least one processor, user input of a password from the terminal device using the authentication screen; and

authenticating, using the at least one processor, the user based on the string of the group IDs corresponding to the password input by the user in the authentication screen and the stored encrypted authentication code, associated with the user ID corresponding to the user, corresponding to the transmitted one of the pattern IDs of the pattern descriptions.

8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising:

deleting, using the at least one processor, the encrypted user authentication password after the authentication code is generated.

9. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising:

encrypting, using the at least one processor, the string of the group IDs;

deleting, using the at least one processor, the encrypted user authentication password after the authentication codes composed of the encrypted strings of the group IDs are generated; and

authenticating, using the at least one processor, the user based on the encrypted string of the group IDs.

10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:

storing, using the at least one processor, the encrypted string of the group IDs in a storage area of the storage device, the encrypted string of the group IDs associated with the user.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the storage area is disposed in an apparatus other than an authentication server apparatus.

12. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising:

transmitting, using the at least one processor, data of the authentication screen including another pattern description retrieved from the storage device to the terminal device, upon a user authentication resulting in failure.