a password corresponding to an ic card or a service is stored or registered in a terminal apparatus provided with a preferably contactless ic card section having a read / write function . a password is inputted before utilizing the ic card function . the ic card function , which is disabled for utilization under other conditions , is enabled for utilization during a period of time only when the inputted password matches the registered password , thus even when the device is lost or stolen , others cannot have access to the services available for the apparatus without authentication .