Security Token Battery Life?

[Raldo]

Remember your old NES games? You know how some of them have a save file? That save file only exists because there's a little battery inside constantly powering what little RAM it has so it doesn't lose your data. Most (all?) of my NES games still have their save data after all these years. I don't know how an NES battery power/size compares to the one in the security token, nor do I know whether they sap the same amount of energy constantly. Assuming that they are similar in both those regards, your security token probably has a good 20+ years of life.

Answers to other misc. stuff that's been brought up:

1) The codes are generated using an algorithm, the current time, and the long number on the back of the token.

2) The 30 seconds SE mentioned was in reference to the fact that the token will generate a new code approximately every 30 seconds. Continually press the button on it, you'll get the same number most of the time, but every 30 seconds or so, it'll be a new one.

3) The reason why your codes are valid for an extended period of time is because, like the person above stated, clocks fall out of rhythm after a while, and the tokens have no way of knowing. It's far safer to let your codes last for ~10 minutes than it is to have an angry mob of people beating down your door because they can't log in for reasons they don't understand.

[JackDaniels]

You know how the security token screen turns off after a few seconds, well I spilt coffee on mine and now it stays on until I press the button again. I prefer it this way so I guess it worked out. I just hope I don't forget to turn it off sorry off topic but I felt like sharing and it didn't require its own thread lol.

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

Can you just swap a new battery into the token instead of having to buy a new one? Just seems rather wasteful to chuck something like that (yes, I'm wondering about how "green" it is).

It's not green at all. Please give to RadioShack for disposal with other hazardous batteries (who will then chuck it into the trash can and set it on fire while doing the worship fire dance, naughty bastads!).