A system involving a small, portable device generating a one-time password at set intervals (for example, one minute) and a software component on an access device synchronized with this password-generation mechanism. A user gets access to the system when he or she enters the password displayed on the portable device. Carrying the portable device around (such as in the form of a key ring attachment) is more comfortable than carrying a one-time password list, but it serves the same purpose.

See Also: One-Time Password; Password.