How do these one time passwords work?

I recently got one of these things from my bank, I enter my PIN and can get a one time password (well.....Passnumber) to log on to the ebanking service, but how does it work? What makes it so secure? Can they be hacked?

I think PayPal has one available as well.

secure pin hacked hack security bank

asked Sep 15 '10 at 17:51

markd12
3.6k●91●114●152

2 Answers:

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This is a good video that explains how these tokens work. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_zpbJF9pmc

But basically the number is generated on the token it self using the time and a special number and also on a server. There is no connectivity between the server and token.

answered Sep 16 '10 at 12:24

Feras
5.5k●90●122●179

Thanks thats been confusing me for days

(Sep 16 '10 at 13:03) markd12

0	I would guess it's more secure becuause it only works one time, so once you log on, someone else cannot. answered Sep 15 '10 at 23:49 DanielHep 461●18●23●31 but how does the website know what is the correct password if it generated randomly? (Sep 16 '10 at 12:04) markd12

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