An information processing apparatus to authenticate a user, by using a wireless device to obtain predetermined information from a wireless terminal carried by the user, and an imaging device to capture an image of the user, includes a unit to detect an approach of a person; a unit to activate the wireless device and the imaging device upon the approach detected; a unit to transmit a radio wave for having the wireless terminal transmit the predetermined information when the wireless device has been activated; a unit to wirelessly authenticate the user, based on the predetermined information; a unit to authenticate of the user by the captured image of the user; and a unit to permit the user to use the information processing apparatus if the user permitted by the wireless authentication is the same as the user permitted by the image authentication.