a method and apparatus for enabling a user to obtain verification and gain access a network server accessible only after verification without the user having to be aware of the communications method and verification protocol involves an image forming apparatus selecting a verification protocol having the highest level of security from among a plurality of previously determined verification protocols . the process of selecting the verification protocol with the highest level of security is then repeated with the verification protocol having the next highest level of security from among the remaining verification protocols until a connection to the network server is successfully established .