A TCP communication scheme which ensures safe communication up to the communication path near a terminal and eliminates direct attacks from hackers, etc. A terminal (A) and terminal (B) are connected to a relay apparatus (X) and relay apparatus (Y), where the terminal (A) and the terminal (B) are the endpoint terminals positioned at the two ends of a TCP communication connection. The relay apparatuses (X, Y) are each connected to a network (NET). The relay apparatuses (X and Y) are provided so as to be between the terminals (A and B) which had been performing conventional TCP communication, and neither of the relay apparatuses (X and Y) have IP addresses. The relay apparatuses (X and Y) take over the TCP connection between the terminal (A) and the terminal (B), divide the connection into three TCP connections, and establish TCP communication.