What is SMS Verification ? Is it Still an Effective Tool?

What Is 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.

Advantages Of SMS Authentication

There are many benefits of using SMS authentication. Some of them are given below:

Enhance Security

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

Easy To Use

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.

Inexpensive

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:

Vulnerabilities

If you are not aware enough, then sim swapping and hacking can breach your account’s security.

Lost Devices

SMS verification is not well functional with lost devices. It can compromise an account.

Synced Devices

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.

Here Are A Few Things To Note While Choosing An Sms Verification Service From A Service Provider:

Fast And Reliable

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

Security

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.

Instant Support

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 SMS Verification API For Businesses

Authentication Channel

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.

Prevent Online Fraud

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.

FAQs

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.

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