Questions tagged [one-time-password]
One-time password (OTP) protocols and implementations (software and hardware)
188
questions
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Am I generating email link tokens correctly?
I am developing a reliable system for token generation and validation used mainly for links in confirmation emails (reset password request, change email flow, activate an account, etc...).
There are ...
2
votes
2answers
84 views
How do backup codes work in TOTP, like Google Authenticator?
My understanding is that in TOTPs are like HMAC where code is derived from time.
However, I am struggling to understand the concept of Backup Codes in Google Authenticator, and how are they ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
2FA: Do app passwords render the second factor invalid?
I am currently in the process of employing a 2FA authentication on as many services as I can. If it is relevant for the question: I use a time-based OTP authenticator app.
When setting up, I noticed ...
1
vote
0answers
41 views
Why have a password at all? [duplicate]
Consider the following common security scenario:
I need to log in with an email and password.
I can't remember my password so I click "forgot password"
Website emails me a password reset link.
I can ...
2
votes
2answers
86 views
How does password-append OTP validation work?
Recently when I was changing some Amazon account settings, I've noticed that they provide an option to validate the OTP by appending it to the password. How would this work, if the password is one-way ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
Is it unsecured to use TOTP codes on the device that generates them?
Let's say I have a TOTP generator app (like Google Authenticator) installed on my smartphone. I use it for 2FA for service X. How bad is it if I log in to X's website/dedicated app on the same ...
1
vote
1answer
121 views
Is there a reason to change OTP code on every resend attempt?
This question is about OTP codes that are used in flows like
Email verification
SMS 2fa
Usually, when you send an OTP, you want to give the user an option to resend the OTP.
Assuming the following ...
0
votes
2answers
88 views
How to encrypt data with a one time password?
We can generate OTP using HOTP - RFC 4226 and TOTP - RFC 6238.
But the generated OTP normally has a checking function authenticator.check(token, secret);. But this only checks if the OTP is valid.
...
0
votes
2answers
71 views
one-time link on 1ty.me
1ty.me is a website that allows you to send secret messages (password, nuclear code, etc.) to someone with a one-time link. So when someone receives the link and clicks on it, the secret message is ...
3
votes
0answers
74 views
One time password: combine time window and counter
I want to generate an OTP, that is valid once in a certain time window in the future. That time window is in the range of minutes to hours. After being used in that window, the OTP may not be used ...
0
votes
1answer
269 views
Is it possible to bypass 2FA and access bank account in this system?
Nowadays, any credit/debit card transaction made online (at least for mine) requires one to enter the card details (Account No., Expiry Date, CVV etc). In the end, a OTP (One Time Pass) is sent to the ...
1
vote
1answer
124 views
Can 2FA / MFA be secure & functional in a purely offline state (PWA)?
I'm building a Progressive Web App intended to be used primarily in an offline state. The user can "login" while disconnected, which verifies the password against a locally-stored hash and some other ...
3
votes
1answer
71 views
Protect page sms verification from spamming
I'm developing a merchant page where users can pay their bills.
On this page, users must fill in their bank details (Card number, card holder name, expiration date, CVC).
As a verification, we have a ...
0
votes
0answers
84 views
Is there any Password Manager that supports Hardware-Based OTP encryption/decryption?
I see that some projects like KeepassXC use CR based OTP to provide some additional security. While this is discussed quite controversial my opinion is that - for quite some cases (e.g. most non-...
47
votes
5answers
7k views
Why do many websites hide input when entering an OTP?
I've noticed that on many sites, when they ask for a one-time password (OTP) (usually sent by SMS), the input is hidden in the same way as a password field is.
My understanding is that once an OTP is ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
One-Time Password (Email or SMS) as the Only Authentication Information [duplicate]
I was wondering about the implications (mainly in terms of security) of using a random, one-time use, password sent by email or sms to authenticate users to a web application.
The application would ...
1
vote
2answers
231 views
Is it safe to save a screenshot of my QR code?
For MFA I now use Authy (owned by Twilio) instead of Google Authenticator. I find Authy more convenient because it syncs your accounts between several devices and several authy installations which ...
1
vote
2answers
132 views
When resetting a password using OTPs, how can I prevent users from bypassing the OTP input page?
I am implementing the password reset functionality using OTPs (one-time passwords). When the user clicks on the 'forgot password' link, he / she is sent an OTP and is redirected to the OTP input page. ...
0
votes
0answers
45 views
Gmail's MFA for team?
We have mailboxes on G-Suite from Goole.
Currently, we are enabling MFA for all boxes in our team, but what boxes which are used by different people?
For now, I found a few solutions, each with its ...
30
votes
4answers
11k views
Bypass with wrong cvv of debit card and getting OTP
This is happening in Visa/MasterCard/American Express, etc. I tried checking in many payment apps and payment gateways that if I enter the correct debit card number, name, valid date, and wrong CVV ...
1
vote
1answer
123 views
What point in Authenticator App 2FA when SMS fallback is enabled
I would like to move away from SMS 2FA (because of Should 2FA over SMS be considered insecure in the wake of recent SS7 attacks? for example).
But some services that provide Authenticator apps ...
0
votes
0answers
489 views
Persistent OTP on Web Browser using cookie
Currently I'm planning to use OTP for my web app, I'm a bit confused about how to keep the users logged on the app. My plan is to use cookies, but I'm not sure whether this is correct or not.
This is ...
0
votes
1answer
112 views
Am I making my One-Time Passcode less secure?
I am using some "magic link" one-time passcodes for automatically logging users in for a specific purpose on our website.
My plan is to generate a hash based on the datetime, users specific "ID" and ...
0
votes
1answer
73 views
What will be the problems if 2 users receive the same OTP in an arbitrary time gap?
First of all, I sincerely apologise if this question has already been asked before. I searched in Google and on this website but was unable to find any article.
I have seen that most OTPs are 6 ...
0
votes
0answers
89 views
Storing TOTP codes on a Feiteian ePass FIDO key
I'm looking for some Android apps that can store / read TOTP codes off of a Feitian ePass FIDO key using NFC. There appears to be a fairly simple way with a yubico key / and key but I don't know how ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Which is more secure Yubikey + Keepass using Challenge/Response or Yubikey + Keepass using OTP?
I use a Windows 10 PC and an Android phone with Keepass.
I would like to add a second factor on top of my master password that works with both Windows 10 and my Android phone.
Between the two ...
2
votes
2answers
273 views
Is stand-alone one-time password less secure than OTP + traditional password auth?
I have a client that would like to use one-time passwords (via SMS or Email) for their app, and their requirements spec does not include traditional password-based authentication. I haven't seen this ...
4
votes
2answers
268 views
Telegram (or other messenger) message as second factor in 2FA
Is it safe to send code via messenger bot and use it as second factor in auth? The scheme looks like the same as SMS one. A user opens application or look at a push notification and use the code. Why ...
2
votes
1answer
183 views
Security implications of auto-submitting OTP?
So the question was originally asked as a part of the UX question here.
My question is that, Are there any security risks involved when I auto-submit the OTP? Currently, I'm limiting the number of ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Bank sends one-time password by e-mail (while sending on SMS) for transaction verification; is this insecure?
Most of the banks uses OTP (One Time Password) to enrich the authentication through dual factor.
But I observed Banks are sending the OTP to mobile as well as email.
I suppose sharing passwords on ...
1
vote
1answer
117 views
Is it safe to receive (One Time Password) OTP to the Mobile where the online banking application is installed?
Assume a customer of a bank is using online banking facility and he is using an online banking application on mobile (android).
There could be a possibility that particular mobile could be ...
4
votes
2answers
586 views
Do all Authenticator Apps use the same algorithm?
I've tried some Authenticator Apps (Google,Microsoft,Authy,Lastpass,...) and all of those apps generate same one time passwords at the same time ?
So, these apps are use the same algorithm which is a ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
Will evolving bio metric capabilities on mobiles replaces online transaction verification through SMS (OTP)?
We are working on an online eCommerce site and we need to have online transactions. The common mechanism of verifying the online transaction seems the OTP (one Time Passwords) over SMS.
But this ...
1
vote
1answer
353 views
Best practices to protect public/private SSH key pair in web interface?
I've got a dilemma here: I'm working on a system that will connect to remote linux servers for monitoring and automating some processes. Since user+pass is insecure for obvious reasons and public/...
0
votes
1answer
521 views
What should be the life time for SMS OTP?
I've tried to find such a standard that mention the lifetime of SME OTP, however, NIST is no longer recommended using SMS OTP due to the risk involved.
Regardless of the security concerns, I still ...
8
votes
2answers
318 views
Why use one-time codes for two-factor authentication backups?
I am building an web application that uses two-factor authentication.
While implementing the recovery feature, I see that most companies (eg Apple, Facebook, Github) provide a set of ~15 backup codes,...
1
vote
1answer
204 views
SMS OTP as 2FA - should there be sms session id in sms for user's verification?
Several times I saw SMS 2FA implementation when a web site shows "sms session id" (say, 8 digits token) right after sending sms to user together with OTP prompt. Sms comes with OTP (say, 4 digits) and ...
1
vote
1answer
128 views
Should I reply to an email saying that I requested online access to a website?
I received an email saying I requested access to a website. The email also includes a one-time passcode. I did not do anything that would require a one-time passcode. At the bottom of the email is a ...
0
votes
2answers
534 views
OTP generation is specific to SIM or Phone number
Are the messages including OTP sent to a mobile phone addressed to the SIM card or the phone number?
If I decide to have a new phone number and the old phone number is allotted to a new customer, the ...
2
votes
4answers
496 views
Does a two-factor authentication dongle (OTP) which is always inserted in MacBook add a security benefit?
I think to get a Yubikey and read that Keepass with OTP makes no sense No. Security remains the same + extra cognitive overhead.
I try to store all data local and use seldom cloud based services.
If ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
Why is the need to expire OTP?
OTP can be implemented either using Google Authenticator or by sending SMS to the user. The GA code is created using a timestamp and the code expires if it's used after some time.
However, in case of ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
Prevent against OTP abuse in app sign up flow
This may sound like an open ended question, but I would like to take my chances and understand if there is any way the rest of the community is handling this issue.
Let's say there is an app that ...
1
vote
4answers
404 views
Why do (many) TOTP devices or TFA apps use none or simple access password?
In Sweden, where I live, you can use an app called BankID to identify yourself and sign into official website or sign up official documents.
The app uses a 6 digits (numerals, not alphabet or symbols) ...
0
votes
1answer
137 views
Windows Server more vulnerable for password extraction during shutdown?
Is a Windows Server (e.g. Windows Server 2008) more vulnerable during the shutdown process compared to the Server is up and running? Does the process of shutting down Windows introduce additional ...
2
votes
2answers
245 views
Web Application Using Identity Federation & OTP
We are running a web application using a client's identity federation to authenticate users. A new requirement is to use 2FA, we have decided to use an OTP algorithm using Java, similar to this one ...
3
votes
1answer
124 views
Is my authentication method secure?
I have built a web-facing tool which is mostly for internal use, but some of our clients will also make use of it. When building the registration/login parts I had a thought about who would be using ...
0
votes
1answer
166 views
How can the german ChipTAN / CardTAN system be secure?
The german ChipTAN (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transaction_authentication_number#ChipTAN_/_CardTAN) system calculates a TAN that is send to the banking server to proof the transaction. The number ...
5
votes
1answer
293 views
Yubikey Desktop Authenticator
Would you say it is more secure to use Yubikey Desktop Authenticator than Google Authenticator?
Instead of using Google Authenticator every time I want to login to some site I am wondering if it ...
19
votes
4answers
3k views
How secure are password managers with account recovery?
The major commercial password manager companies claim to have a "zero knowledge" system. This means the master password of the user is the only way to decrypt the data and it's is not stored anywhere. ...
32
votes
2answers
7k views
Is emailing sign in links bad practice?
In my Spring application, I was planning to remove passwords from the authentication process by sending a "magic sign-in link" to a user's email address. However, in this question Rob Winch (lead of ...
