The invention provides a system and method of authenticating a user to a network. For the method, it comprises: when the user at the device initiates a request for the restricted resource, the network receives the request and automatically initiates an authentication step relating to the user prior to providing the device access to the restricted resource, the authentication step including requesting a user account and a password; processing an input stream from the device from the user in response to the authentication step, the input stream comprising account data and a password; comparing the input stream against account data associated with the restricted resource; if the input stream matches the account data, providing the device with access to the restricted resource; and when the user at the device initiates a request for a non-restricted resource, providing the device with access to the non-restricted resource automatically.