An automated method for authenticating a proving device to a verifying device involves an elliptic curve formula (ECF) for a predetermined elliptic curve associated with a proving device. According to one example method, the prover sends the verifier a message containing a first proof value (P2). The verifier determines whether P2 is a point on the elliptic curve associated with the proving device. If P2 is not on the elliptic curve, the verifier may determine that the proving device should not be trusted. The message may further comprise a second proof value (K1), and the verifier may automatically determine whether K1 corresponds to P1, based on a previous point (P0) on the elliptic curve. If K1 does not correspond to P1, the verifier may determine that the proving device should not be trusted. Other embodiments are described and claimed.