Onetimeuse

Onetimeuse is a term used to describe items, credentials, or codes that are intended for a single use and are invalidated after their initial deployment. The concept is applied across digital and physical domains to reduce reuse and improve security or control.

In digital security, onetimeuse often refers to one-time passwords (OTPs) or one-time tokens. These credentials are generated for a specific session or period and are useless if captured or reused. Variants include time-based OTPs, which expire after a short window, and event-based OTPs, which advance with each authentication event. Standards such as HOTP and TOTP describe these mechanisms.

In licensing and commerce, onetimeuse keys or codes are issued for a single activation or transaction. A software license key may activate a product once and become invalid thereafter, or a gift card and promotional code may be redeemed only once per account or per item.

In physical and logistical contexts, disposable items—such as single-use medical devices, test strips, or single-use cameras—embody the same principle: functionality is limited to a single deployment.

The approach reduces fraud and replay attacks but introduces operational considerations. Providers must securely generate, distribute, and invalidate codes, and systems must prevent accidental reuse or leakage of credentials. If a one-time credential is intercepted, it cannot be reused, but delivery or synchronization failures can prevent legitimate use.

See also: one-time password, disposable code, token, nonce, license key.