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Facebook Introduces One-Time Passwords

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i-forgot-that-too dept.

angry tapir writes "Worried about logging into Facebook from a strange computer? There's now a way to get into the popular social network without entering your regular Facebook password. It's called a temporary password. To use it, users must list their mobile phone numbers with their Facebook accounts. They can then text a number from their phones and Facebook sends back a temporary password that is good for 20 minutes. The service will be available worldwide in the next few weeks."

13 of 215 comments (clear)

  1. Great idea. by Timmmm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Now can we please get one-time credit card authorisation?

    1. Re:Great idea. by Rijnzael · · Score: 4, Informative

      BOA does this already if you're in the US.

    2. Re:Great idea. by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 4, Informative

      Now can we please get one-time credit card authorisation?

      Amex did this for a while about 10 years ago. I used it and liked it. Then it went away.

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      I am not a crackpot.
  2. texting by Theoboley · · Score: 5, Funny

    867-5309 will give you a password of "Jenny"

    --
    Stupidity only gets you so far, then you've gotta try
  3. Real advantage over SSL? by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yet another way for a big Internet organization to collect phone numbers.

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    Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
    1. Re:Real advantage over SSL? by Rijnzael · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I don't think this is an attempt to prevent interception of passwords in transit over the network; I believe it's an attempt to prevent keyloggers or other nefarious software/hardware on a machine from impacting the user's privacy.

    2. Re:Real advantage over SSL? by betterunixthanunix · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Since when has Facebook started caring about user privacy? This is, as noted, an attempt to get more people to divulge their cell phone numbers.

      --
      Palm trees and 8
    3. Re:Real advantage over SSL? by tgd · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Sometimes there's a conspiracy.

      Sometimes you just really don't understand.

      If you think this has anything to do with SSL, guess which camp you're in?

    4. Re:Real advantage over SSL? by JustOK · · Score: 4, Insightful

      they've always cared about user privacy...just not in the traditional sense of protecting it.

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      rewriting history since 2109
  4. Re:yeah, just give us your phone number by TheKidWho · · Score: 4, Informative

    I don't think you know what a pyramid scheme is...

  5. makes sense by sakura+the+mc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    but that limited password better come with limited privledges to protect the account from getting jacked.

  6. Re:yeah, just give us your phone number by TheKidWho · · Score: 4, Informative

    I don't think you know what a Pyramid scheme is either...

    Let's wikipedia it:

    A pyramid scheme is a non-sustainable business model that involves promising participants payment primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than from any real investment or sale of products or services to the public. Pyramid schemes are a form of fraud.

    What you're describing on the other hand is just exploitation.

    if you can't see how this pertains to facebook then you are too dull to be helped.

    I've never heard that one before.

  7. Re:My Discover Card Does This ... by gad_zuki! · · Score: 4, Funny

    Fry: Do you take Visa?
    Clerk: Visa hasn't existed for 500 years.
    Fry: American Express?
    Clerk: 600 years.
    Fry: Discover Card?
    Clerk: Sorry, we don't take Discover.