Systems and methods for authenticating defined user actions over a computer network. An authentication service receives an authentication request from an authenticating service to perform an action on behalf of a user. The authentication service then sends a permission request to a mobile device associated with the user, asking the user whether or not the action should be allowed. The user sends a permission response via the mobile device to the authentication service, granting or denying the action. The user may automate future similar responses so long as at least one automation criterion is met (e.g., the physical location of the mobile device), eliminating the need to manually provide a response to future permission requests. Information necessary to determine whether the automation criterion is met is stored locally on the mobile device.