A system and method links first and second computers of a network to implement a single sign on feature. The first computer generates a link request having a plaintext component and a hashed component. The plaintext component includes an identifier associated with the first network computer and information for locating a resource of the second network computer. The hashed component includes a first hash result formed by applying a hashing function to the plaintext component and a secret known to the first network computer and the second network computer. The second computer authenticates the link request without using a two-way encryption process by generating a second hash result by applying the hashing function to the plaintext component of the link request and the secret and comparing the first hash result with the second hash result.