What Is SMS Verification And How Does It Work?
In today’s modern world, data privacy is the prime concern. Online web intruders and spammers always search for one opportunity so that they can breach your privacy and steal sensitive information and data for their personal gain. Hackers not only steal your data but can also harm you mentally, financially, and physically. In 2018 hackers swiped almost 25 billion accounts globally, stealing around 6.85 million passwords and using them for fraud and unethical activities.
So if you are quite assured that your account can’t be hacked and your personal information saved in digital lockers is completely secure, then you should think of this twice. To prevent yourself from online account hackers, you should be very careful and enable SMS verification with your account login.
We accepted the fact that hacking passwords is relatively easy for hackers, but with SMS verification, you can minimize this risk by up to 90%. Suppose a hacker wants to access your account in that scenario; he would need your password. But if you have enabled SMS verification for user authorization, he would need your username, password, and SMS verification number to access your account. Passing all these security checks would be quite difficult for the hacker. This is how you can secure your personal information and account from web intruders.
This simple yet unique technology benefits individuals and businesses in multiple ways. In this blog post, we will discuss online SMS verification and its working functionality so go through the entire post and clear all your doubts and queries related to this topic.
What Do You Understand By SMS Verification?
With SMS verification, you can authenticate the identity of a user. This service is widely used by websites, banks, and social media networks. These sectors work with users’ sensitive data, and they know any kind of data breach would be quite harmful to their customers. That’s the reason why they double-check the identity of users before their login into the account to avoid data integrity failure
While accessing your account, you need to log in first by entering your username and password. Once you fill in the login credentials, companies send a verification code to your smartphone. You need to use that code to complete your login, and this process is called SMS verification.
SMS verification process is popularly known by other names such as two-way SMS authentication, SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA), or SMS one-time password (OPT)
What Is The Working Functionality Of SMS Verification?
The working functionality of SMS verification is easy to understand. Below mentioned points will help you to understand the process:
While the sign-up process, you provide your phone number to a business
Once you are done with the sign-up process, you need to login into your account by entering your username and password on the business website or app. After entering your details, you receive one time SMS authentication code on your number.
To complete the login process, you are required to type that code into the app or website.
This is how SMS verification work!
Advantages Of SMS Authentication
There are many benefits of using SMS authentication. Some of them are given below:
With a one-time password, we can simply enhance the standard of security checkups for the online user authentication process. SMS verification is still considered more secure than a password alone
People have become quite familiar with SMS and One-Time Otp Authentication codes. That is the reason why they find it more convenient while authenticating their identity on a website or app.
SMS authentication usually costs the customers nothing and does not require additional hardware and software.
Disadvantages Of SMS Authentication
Although the SMS authentication process is quite easy to use and convenient for users still, it has some drawbacks that are listed below:
If you are not aware enough, then sim swapping and hacking can breach your account’s security.
SMS verification is not well functional with lost devices. It can compromise an account.
Since users receive code through SMS for user authentication on their multiple devices, spammers find it easier to intercept these SMS and collect sensitive data.
What Are The Parameters To Be Followed While Selecting An SMS Verification Service?
If you search for the best SMS verification service provider over the web, you will get a lot of suggestions claiming they are the best in class. But choosing the most reliable one depends on how well you research and find the most trusted one.
Here are a few things to note while choosing an sms verification service from a service provider:
SMS verification codes come with some time limitations. That means users need to use these codes for authentication in a given time frame. Otherwise, they will expire after a specific time. If you are sending thousands of SMS verification codes to your customers, then you need to verify whether your service provider is capable enough to deliver your SMS requirements without hampering the delivery speed
All the authentication codes should be transmitted securely to all the users otherwise, web bad actors can intercept these codes and use them to gain access of your accounts which would be quite harmful to you.
The service provider should be available 24*7 for all your queries. If something goes wrong, the service provider should resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Why Should Businesses Integrate A Verification Portal With Their Services?
Online spammers and fraudsters are always ready to steal your personal data. One silly mistake, and all your data will be accessible to spammers. Internet theft has become the biggest challenge for individuals as well as businesses. To resolve internet theft, verification API integration plays a vital role and helps companies to have a secure transition. Verification API supports code sent via Voice, SMS, and Email.
Benefits Of Verification API For Businesses
With the help of SMS verification services, businesses can validate users’ authenticity worldwide. Companies can enable two-factor authentications for HTTP validation by adding user name and password. This web inclusion is quite helpful for businesses and helps them display a user authentication portal on their web portals.
With the help of SMS verification, phone number verification, etc., businesses enable 2-factor authentication for users and minimize fraud intervention with higher security.
Upscale To Global Standards
With higher security standards, businesses can expand their global reach without experiencing security-related threats.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is SMS Verification Secure?
SMS verification enhances security standards and is more secure than a password. However, there are some risks associated with it. For example, let’s say your phone is lost; hackers can access your account and use your number to access your personal information or bank details. Hence, it is recommended that users who have lost their phone should try to block their account and log out of their device to avoid any significant loss.
What Should I Do If I Do Not Receive The SMS Verification Code?
If you are not getting an SMS verification code in a given time frame, then there could be a few possibilities like your phone has a connectivity issue, confirm your phone number on the website or app, and lastly, make sure whether your network provider isn’t blocking messages for certain senders
