History Main / OnePasswordAttemptEver

* Some operating systems, mostly on smartphones, have an optional feature that will erase all data on the device after X number of failed login attempts, in case the device has been stolen.

* ''Literature/TheDaVinciCode'' has this when Sophie and Langdon try to access a special ATM. The machine tells them to be extra careful because not only will it eat their card if they get the password wrong after one attempt, but the entire machine will shut down.

Not to be confused with ThePasswordIsAlwaysSwordfish, where you only need one attempt because it's obvious to guess.

* ''Series/Brooklyn99'': PlayedForLaughs. In one episode, Terry tries to log into Captain Holt's computer, so he tries guessing the password, only for it to tell him that he's reached the maximum number of attempts after one try. Justified, as this aligns with Captain Holt's comically meticulous nature.

* ''VideoGame/SiN'' sometimes has things that activate on an incorrect password entry, but most of them allow retries or resetting the trap. The only one that allows one attempt is trying to disarm the nuke (on hard difficulty) where failure releases toxic gas.

* The ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' report [[http://scp-wiki.net/scp-093 SCP-093 ("Red Sea Object")]]. In the "Violet" test the Foundation team tries to log into a computer they find. The first attempt fails, after which the screen prints a message that the maximum number of attempts has been exceeded and the PC turns itself off.

* In the ''VideoGame/NintendoWars'' series, ''Advance Wars: Days of Ruin'' (''Advance Wars: Dark Conflict'' in Europe/Australia), {{The Hero}}es come across an underground bunker that has supplies they desperately need. The problem is, the bunker cannot be breached and they can only try the password twice. First, Brenner/O'Brian tries his military access code. When that is rejected, the team is left with one guess for a ten-digit password. Luckily Will/Ed had been talking to Isabella/Catleia an she had been muttering a ten-digit number over and over. With no other option, they enter the code. When the doors open, the team is left baffled at how she could've possibly know that code.

* In ''VideoGame/DynamiteHeaddy'', after the credits have rolled, a screen appears where you could enter a 4-digit password on a keypad. You only get one shot at entering the password (which changes for every playthrough). Completing the basketball minigames reveals the password number by number.

In reality, this system is fraught with problems. For one, the people who know the password could accidentally hit the wrong key (and they're bound to if they have to type in the password on a regular basis), meaning that eventually they will lock themselves out on accident. Also if any of their enemies ''want'' the data to be inaccessible, all they have to do is get access to the machine and purposely type in the wrong password to disable or destroy the data. As indicated by the RealLife examples below, actual implementations of this type of security allow a limited number of failed attempts in order to prevent accidental lock-out.

* In ''VideoGame/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'', entering the wrong password to open the case containing the atomic vector plotter on the Vogon ship will make the case ''explode'', killing you.

In reality, this system is fraught with problems. For one, the people who know the password could accidentally hit the wrong key (and they're bound to if they have to type in the password on a regular basis), meaning that eventually they will lock themselves out on accident. Also if any of their enemies ''want'' the data to be inaccessible, all they have to do is get access to the machine and purposely type in the wrong password to disable or destroy the data.