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What are one-time passcodes (OTPs)?

Blog post from Stytch

Post Details
Company
Date Published
Author
Stytch Team
Word Count
1,658
Company Posts That Month
8
Language
English
Hacker News Points
-
Post removed?
No
Summary

One-time passcodes (OTPs) are a key tool in modern authentication systems, providing enhanced security compared to traditional passwords by being passwordless and offering a smoother user experience. OTPs are security codes sent to a user's phone number or email during login attempts, consisting of randomly generated characters used for a single authentication event before being invalidated. They can be used as primary or secondary factors in multi-factor authentication (MFA) flows, boosting security by requiring additional verification for sensitive actions. While OTPs are more secure against password-based attacks, they are still vulnerable to certain threats like SIM swapping and phishing, which necessitates additional security measures. Time-based OTPs (TOTPs), generated by authenticator apps and changing every 30 or 60 seconds, offer increased protection against advanced threats but require quick user action to avoid access issues. Despite these challenges, OTPs remain a preferred choice for developers seeking to enhance security while maintaining user convenience, as seen in services offered by platforms like Stytch.

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