Pronunciation: [tˈɒtp] (IPA) 
The acronym TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) is often used in the context of internet security. The spelling of TOTP is pronounced as /tɒtp/, with the 'o' being pronounced as the short 'o' sound in 'lot', 'hot', or 'dot', and the 'a' being pronounced as the 'a' in 'father' or 'bar'. The 't' and 'p' are pronounced as expected, but the 'p' is stressed, emphasising the importance of the one-time password in security contexts.
TOTP stands for Time-based One-Time Password, which refers to a security protocol used for generating unique passwords in order to enhance authentication in computer systems. It is a type of two-factor authentication (2FA) method that leverages both a static password and a time-based one-time password to validate a user's identity.
The TOTP mechanism utilizes a shared secret key, typically stored on the user's device and the authentication server, to generate one-time passwords that are valid for a short duration. These passwords are generated based on the current time and the shared secret key, ensuring that each password is unique and time-limited. The generated passwords are commonly presented to the user in the form of a numerical code, typically consisting of six digits.
To authenticate using TOTP, the user enters their static password along with the current time-based one-time password within a certain time window defined by the system. The authentication server verifies the entered code by independently generating a time-based password using the user's shared secret key and comparing it with the code entered by the user. If the codes match within the allowed time window, the user's identity is authenticated and access to the system is granted.
TOTP provides an additional layer of security by combining something the user knows (static password) with something the user has (time-based one-time password), reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if the static password is compromised. It is commonly used in various applications, such as online banking, web services, and mobile apps, to strengthen the security of user authentication processes.
