Level up your online safety with TOTP authentication

How to boost your account protection with 2-factor authentication

Leigh Huang
Synology C2
5 min readJun 28, 2023

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In today’s digital world, passwords alone can no longer guarantee the safety of your precious and sensitive data. If your passwords are weak, easily guessed, or reused across multiple accounts, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to cyberattacks.

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This is one of many reasons why it’s essential to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts, which can be easily implemented through the use of 2-factor authenication. By combining something you know (your password) with something you have (a time-based one-time password — TOTP), you can strengthen your online defenses and increase the protection of your personal information.

TOTP: How it works

At its core, TOTP (Time-based One Time Password) is a 2-factor authentication (2FA) protocol that is combined with the use of a traditional password to give you access to your account. This combination adds an extra layer of security to the overall authentication process, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to any of your sensitive information.

When you want to sign in to a service that requires a one-time password, you will have to enter a verification code after entering your password. The TOTP application on your device will use an algorithm to create a unique code that is based on a shared secret between you and your service provider. This secret is typically configured during the initial setup process, where a QR code or secret key is provided, which you use to configure the TOTP application on your device.

Both your device and the service provider use the same algorithm to ensure that the same code is generated at any given time. This code serves as a one-time password and is valid only for a short period, usually around 30 seconds. After that time, the code becomes invalid and a new code is generated.

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Doing all of this means that even if an attacker manages to get ahold of your password, they would still need to get access to your device containing the TOTP in order to generate the correct verification code within the time window. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, since one would need physical possession of your device on top of your password.

On top of that, TOTP is designed with common security threats in mind. Since each generated code is completely unique, and the validity window is short, it’s incredibly difficult for attackers to intercept or reuse codes.

Now that we know that TOTP is an essential function for setting up a second layer of protection for your account, a question is raised: Which authenticator app should I use?

Let’s welcome C2 Password to the stage to provide a solution that goes beyond just authentication!

C2 Password: The all-in-one solution

C2 Password is a password manager that goes beyond traditional password managers by including TOTP functions in its robust set of features. With centralized password management and TOTP codes all on a single platform, you’ll be streamlining the entire authentication process for your online accounts. This not only saves you time, but it also simplifies the management of your digital identities.

Wondering about how your data is stored? You can rest assured that your data is safe with C2 Password, where security is our top priority. All data stored within C2 Password, including passwords and TOTP secrets, are encrypted end-to-end with industry-standard encryption techniques, such as AES-256. Additionally, C2 Password utilizes strong password hashing mechanisms to protect your C2 Key (master password), ensuring that your passwords and TOTP secrets are securely stored, even in the event of a data breach.

C2 Password helps you automatically copy and paste TOTPs

But it doesn’t stop there! The C2 Password mobile app takes usability a step further by providing you with access to your passwords and TOTP codes on-the-go. Whether you’re traveling, in a meeting, or simply away from your computer, having your passwords and TOTP codes ready and available on your mobile device adds a layer of convenience, all without compromising security. In just a few taps, you can automatically fill in your usernames, passwords, and TOTPs. It’s really that easy!

Supercharge your online protection

In a world where online threats lurk around every corner, relying on passwords alone to keep your account secure is like leaving the door wide open to cybercriminals. Now is the time to level up your defense game! By embracing the power of 2-factor authentication, such as TOTPs, and partnering up with user-friendly password managers like C2 Password, you can give sneaky hackers a run for their money.

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Taking these steps not only helps to protect your personal data, but also plays a role in creating a safer digital world for everyone. Get ready to fortify your online fortress and lock down your digital identity. Together, we can make cyberspace a safer place, one TOTP code at a time!

And we’ve yet to mention the best part! C2 Password’s free plan includes the TOTP service. Now that’s real convenience, at no extra cost to you!

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