Understanding the Two Different Types of One-Time Passwords

Two Different Types of One-Time Passwords:

When it comes to enhancing the security of online accounts, one-time passwords play a crucial role. There are two main types of one-time passwords that can be created:

1. Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP): TOTP are temporary passwords that are valid for a short period of time, usually 30 seconds to a few minutes. These passwords are generated based on a specific algorithm that takes the current time into account. Popular authenticator apps like Google Authenticator and Authy use TOTP for generating one-time passwords.
2. Event-based One-Time Passwords (HOTP): HOTP are passwords that are generated based on a counter value and a specific algorithm. Each time a password is used, the counter value is incremented to generate the next password. This makes HOTP more secure for certain use cases where real-time synchronization between the server and the client is not feasible.

By understanding the differences between TOTP and HOTP, users can choose the most suitable option to secure their accounts effectively.