Method and apparatus capable of performing information providing operation with information security measures

Abstract

A data terminal is coupled to a local area network and a public switched telephone network. The controller performs a first operation each time an instruction is received for transmitting facsimile image information to a facsimile terminal connected to the public switched telephone network. The controller further performs a second operation each time a request with a specific password for browsing information is received from a different data terminal connected to the local area network. During the first operation, the controller requests a user entry of a password and links the password to the facsimile image information upon receiving a password. Further, the controller generates a communication history file including information associated with a transmission of the facsimile image information and the linked password, and stores the communication history file. During the second operation, the controller searches the specific communication history file by verifying a password included in each of the plurality of communication history files against the specific password. Further, the controller sends a specific communication history file to the different data terminal upon finding the specific communication history file which includes a password identical to the specific password sent from the different data terminal with the request.