OTP
One-time password
Online services use the acronym OTP to refer to a "one-time password." A one-time password is a temporary password you use to log in to your account only once. After that, the OTP expires, and you must log in using either your regular password or a subsequent OTP.
Why, when, and how am I likely to receive an OTP?
Many online service providers now use OTPs in place of regular passwords. This prevents:
- You from having to remember yet another password
- Malicious entities from being able to steal your password (because you don't have a set password)
Typically, you'll receive an OTP when you attempt to log in to your account. The service you're logging in to will then send an OTP to the email address or phone number linked with your account. (An OTP may also be used as part of 2FA.)
For example, if you attempt to log in to your Microsoft account online, the company will email an OTP to the email linked to your account. You must then retrieve the OTP from your email and use it to finish logging in.
Example
Take the pop culture acronym challenge
Someone who is OTP is "on the phone." You're most likely to encounter this acronym in chat messages, sent while the person you'd like to chat with is speaking with someone else via telephone.
Usually, the person who is OTP will want to WAM before continuing to chat. If you get bored while you're waiting, feel free to keep browsing the site ...