Sept. 9, 2024
Ever wondered how you can increase the security of your online accounts? In a world where digital is increasingly king, securing your accounts is crucial--people are trying to steal your stuff! And one way to do that is through SMS code verification. This system adds an extra layer of protection by asking for a verification code sent to your device. In this post I'll cover how SMS verification works, where it falls short, how to do it right, and how to use it applied to protect sensitive information in various apps. By the end, you'll see how it's a security benefit to your information, and how it can delight and build confidence with users of your digital products.
SMS code verification is a super important security feature that helps keep user accounts safe by making users enter a code that's sent to their mobile device. It's a two-step verification process that's super important—especially in 2022 and beyond—because there are lots of threats out there. By adding a second verification step, this makes it harder for hackers to get in, so only the right people can get access to sensitive info and services.
The way SMS verification in general works is, once a user enters their username and password (usually the first verification step for most online logins), a one-time code is sent to the user's mobile device, and they have to enter this one-time code to prove they are who they say they are. This is true for not only tech and finance, but many other types of organizations, like healthcare and education. Security is important for everyone. All industries are realizing that SMS verification is an important piece of the puzzle for helping to safeguard user data from unauthorized access and other online threats.
SMS verification has never been more important than it is right now, with more and more online accounts under attack. In 2022 alone, over 24 billion usernames and passwords were compromised and sold on the dark web. That's one reason why SMS verification is so important: it helps protect against unauthorized account access, especially for users who have a habit of reusing their passwords (62% of people do).
Typically a 6-digit number that is sent to your mobile. This number should only be used once, so even if someone intercepts it, the code will only be valid for a few minutes. Once received, the user enters their code into the app or website to successfully complete the authentication process. It means a real-time mobile device is required for authentication, making it much harder for unauthorized persons to gain access to accounts.
SMS code verification may seem simple or basic, but it's popular because most people are already familiar with the process. It's an easy, effective way to authenticate yourself that requires no special knowledge. By using widely adopted SMS technology, developers can make their apps and services more secure without making it harder for users to log in.
SMS code verification is a widely-used and effective method, but it's not bulletproof; it can be intercepted, for instance in a SIM swapping attack, in which an attacker tricks a mobile carrier into transferring a victim's phone number to a different SIM card, allowing the attacker to receive the verification codes intended for the rightful user, and potentially gain access to sensitive accounts. Further, if a user loses or has their mobile device stolen, the security of the SMS verification process is significantly decreased, as the new owner of the device can receive the verification codes.
As the number of cyber threats continues to expand—reported attacks soared by 71% from 2022 to 2023—developers and organizations should consider the drawbacks of SMS verification when deploying the method. Though useful for protection against simplistic threats, they should layer in additional security features like multi-factor authentication to safeguard users from potential attacks.
In a world where digital security is key, SMS code verification is a very common user authentication method. Everyone's at it, using different technology and different approaches to make sure they're as safe as possible. Here are a few of the better-known SMS verifications, what they do and when you might use them. SMS code verification.
The most widespread SMS verification method is TOTP—Time-Based One-Time Passwords; it's just a way of generating a temporary code. It works by using a time-based algorithm to generate a password that is only valid for a tiny window—usually about 30 seconds. TOTP is kind of like a moving target; it changes the passwords over time, so it's very hard for somebody to get into your account.
It generates these passwords using a shared secret key and the current time, so even if somebody snags a code, it will only work for a very short time and will be pretty much useless. That's why TOTP is so popular with businesses and companies that really care about security and want to offer 2FA. It's a second layer of security to help protect against unauthorized access and is an essential part of any modern authentication.
Another common type of SMS verification involves using a HOTP, or HMAC-Based One-Time Passwords. This method generates codes based on a counter value that increments every time a code is requested. Each code is unique and can only be used once. Then the counter increments properly so that the next code is created when the next request is made.
It's basically the same as the HMAC algorithm that's used to generate the hash. It combines a hash function with a secret key in order to generate a secure code. Businesses like it because it's simple and very strong, especially in situations where the timing of TOTP doesn't apply. By maintaining a counter, this method produces a very strong one-time use password system. TOTP and HOTP are both great for SMS code verification, and the two methods are very symbiotic.
Single Code SMS verification is the simplest type of SMS verification. It's the classic "text a unique code via SMS whenever you need to verify something" that you've seen a million times before. This is a very popular choice because it's very easy to set up. And as we know with applications that are easy to use, easier is better! And better is less friction, less friction is happier users!
Whenever a user needs to log in or take an important action, we'll generate a code and text it to the phone number they signed up with. Easy! But with easy comes vulnerabilities. If a hacker can access the user's phone or intercept the SMS, they can take advantage of this vulnerability. But still, Single Code SMS is used everywhere because it's just so easy.
Unlike single code, multi-code has you send multiple codes for different verification actions. It's more secure, but you need to manage how to send those codes for use. With multi-code you can tell systems to perform different verification steps for different actions or different levels of risk.
For example, if a user logs in from a new device, or if a user logs in from a new location, you could have the system require an extra verification in addition to the first code. Multi-code SMS gives you an extra security step to block unauthorized access, but you will need a good management system to ensure that codes can be sent accurately and timely, and not overload the user. The added complexity can have some drawbacks, but the added security can be worth it, especially for high-security environments.
SMS verification is one of the simplest forms of online security for transactions and user interaction, and is used all over the world to help prevent unauthorized access and fraudulent activity. Here are some examples of how it works in practice.
Banks and other financial institutions use SMS verification to help secure transactions, where a unique code is sent to the user's mobile device and they must enter it at the time of logging in. This additional step is critical to securing sensitive financial information. For example, a user logs into their online banking by entering their username and password, but then they must also enter a code sent by SMS. This helps secure not only unauthorized access, but also personal and fraud-related access to online banking. The very fact that these verification measures are in place illustrates how important both convenience and security are to the financial sector, and serves as a reminder that when it comes to financial information, security can never be taken for granted. SMS code verification is convenient for you, and critical for banks, who are protecting your important financial information, like the 250,000 messages Triodos Bank sends monthly to verify identities.
E-commerce platforms use SMS codes to protect you when you're doing things like creating an account or editing your personal information. So when you sign up for an account or go to edit your personal details, you might receive a code by SMS. That way, no one can hack your account, because only someone with access to your phone number can confirm the change. Plus, it inspires customer trust, as the customer knows that his phone number is not just floating around carelessly. The security not only serves the user, but also contributes to the legitimacy of the e-commerce platform in general, which can influence the user's decision to make a purchase, as shown by EasyPark's 7% increase in conversion rates after implementing SMS verification.
Delivery apps pretty much always use SMS verification to message customers their order and delivery status. Order food and you get a text that they've received your order, a text when your delivery is on the way. This constant communication not only creates peace of mind, but it keeps you engaged throughout the entire transaction. You anticipate the arrival text, so you have a good expectation and you'll be a happy customer. By messaging over SMS, you'll always know where your orders are, and it could decrease customer service tickets asking where their orders are.
Ridesharing services also utilize SMS verification for verifying the identity of people signing up for an account. When a new user signs up for an app, they're often asked to enter a special code that was texted to their phone number. This is done to prevent fraud and to make sure that the account is being created by someone who has access to the phone number. By doing this, ridesharing companies can mitigate things like fake accounts, which can cause a whole host of problems ranging from fake rides to safety issues for the passenger. Instant identity verification is crucial to maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the platform.
In healthcare, SMS verification can help secure access to patient data. For example, healthcare providers might use verification codes to make sure that only the right patients can view their own Personal Health Information (PHI). When patients sign in to their health portal, they might receive an SMS with a verification code that they need to enter to sign in. This helps them meet privacy regulations like HIPAA while building a lot of trust by letting patients know that their health information is secure. With SMS verification, healthcare providers can add another layer of security to ensure that patient records are only accessible to the right people.
These are just 3 out of probably millions of ways that SMS verification is being used to add an extra layer of security to nearly every industry. In doing so, companies not only help prevent improper access to their users' sensitive information but also create a safe and trustworthy environment for users to interact with them online.
SMS is a widely-used method of verifying a person's identity in cybersecurity. It has its ups and downs. This article explains the pros and cons of using SMS as a form of two-factor authentication (2FA).
SMS code verification is really simple to use. Everyone knows how to text, so there's basically no learning curve. It's so easy to add SMS code verification to your business without a lot of training or support for users. They just enter their phone number and receive a code by SMS. It's that simple.
It's also perfect for people who aren't technically inclined and might struggle with other methods. It's reassuring for those folks because they're interacting with something they already know. And businesses can use that instant user comfort to bring users on board with a new service more easily.
Another reason businesses love SMS verification? It's affordable. Often, SMS services are cheaper than other methods like hardware tokens or MFA apps, making it viable for small businesses and startups that can't afford a pricier security solution.
Sure, they have to pay per SMS message, but the cost is generally quite low (and well worth it) as far as our customers are concerned given the security advantages of SMS verification--so they see it as a perfectly fair cost of business.
SMS is also incredibly accessible. Almost everybody has a phone that can receive texts, so almost anybody can use it. This accessibility is especially important in countries where smartphones may not be prevalent, but basic phone usage is high.
In a world where people have different levels of digital literacy, SMS is more or less universally accessible. So you won't be locking out a big percentage of the population from using your service, and that's really lucrative for businesses trying to access and retain as many users as possible.
But for all its benefits, SMS code verification also has significant security vulnerabilities—. The biggest one is that SMS codes are interceptable, and can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to an account. Things like SIM swapping can make it so a malicious actor has control of your phone number, and once they have that, it's trivial to receive the SMS codes meant for you. You might as well not have security on your account at all—it's like wearing a seatbelt in a car and the buckle isn't even there.
And bad actors can just phish your unsuspecting users, because that's still a thing, to give up their verification code. These are some of the reasons that users might not trust SMS verification, and might be looking for a solution that's better.
Reliability is another big reason SMS verification might not be the best choice. Cell networks are generally reliable, but they aren't infallible. Occasionally these networks go down and messages can be delayed. In certain areas, especially those with notoriously poor service, users may have difficulty receiving their verification code when they need it. Users can't access their accounts, businesses must find another way to verify them, and everyone has a bad experience.
For businesses, relying on cell networks is a hassle, especially during high traffic, during emergencies, or when they need fast authentication. They'll need to find other ways to verify that deliver on reliability and a good user experience.
We can see from SMS verification that there are many pros like ease of use, cost, and availability, but we should also be looking at the cons of SMS verification (security and reliability). By keeping both in mind, businesses will be better equipped to make a truly informed decision about what the best authentication method for them is.
Make your apps more secure with SMS verification
It's easy to implement—just follow these best practices for implementing SMS to receive your users' verification code instantly and get them signed in sooner.
When you're just starting to implement SMS in your app, having a good SMS provider is essential. A good provider means fast message send times, which is key to building trust with your users. Different providers have different send speeds, and slow send times will frustrate and alienate your users. You want a provider who sends quickly now, and will continue to send quickly as you grow. When you suddenly have ten times the traffic, you want to be sure your provider can handle it and still keep the same fast service. Fast and reliable. You'll definitely want to compare and try before you buy!
You'll also want a provider with a focus on security. To protect your users' sensitive information, you'll want a provider with secure infrastructure, end-to-end encryption, who complies with data privacy laws. Choose the right SMS provider and you'll be well on your way to a rock-solid verification process.
For an added level of security, why not consider multi-factor authentication (MFA) in addition to SMS. MFA is an extra layer of security that can help to reduce the risk of the vulnerabilities of SMS verification. Because the messages can potentially be intercepted, you should not rely on SMS messaging for security verification only.
MFA uses a mix of something a user knows (like a password) and something a user has (like a mobile device) to create a more secure verification process. For example, even if someone malicious gains access to a user's password, they still need the SMS verification code in order to login—increasing the overall security of your app. MFA can increase user trust, and longer term trust leads to longer term retention.
You'll also want to track your SMS delivery metrics, so you can optimize your verification process. If you know how many messages are delivered, and how many aren't, you can see exactly where in your SMS implementation you need to dedicate your optimization efforts. Heavy undelivered messages might mean you need to invest in your provider's performance, or that you need to adjust your message for error reduction.
User feedback is just as critical. Talk to your users to understand what their journey looks like, and where they're running into issues during verification. Establishing a feedback loop that connects users' experiences with your application can be immensely helpful in identifying and resolving problems in real-time. Armed with delivery metrics and user feedback, you'll have the insights you need to continue making your SMS verification flow even better.
SMS message clarity is really important, because at the end of the day, you want your user to be able to easily read your message. You want your user to know exactly what to enter as their verification code. If your message is unclear, the user might enter the wrong code onto your website, and your verification process will be broken.
Ideally, your SMS message will be really short, and will tell the user why they're receiving the message, what they need to do, and input the verification code. For example, "Your verification code is 123456. Please input this on the signin page." By doing so in as few characters as possible, you'll not only get a better user experience but just better SMS verification in general.
In the digital age, everyone is getting phished or getting social engineered, so it's important to teach your users to recognize legitimate SMS messages. Make a practice of training your users to recognize a valid SMS—and that includes things like the sender number, and the contents of the message.
The more real vs scam examples you can use to drive the point home for your users, the better they'll be at dealing with things on their own. For instance, you really want to drill in that any time they get a real verification message, it should be from the same number your service always uses: never random, never unknown. Remind your users to be watchful, and you'll start seeing a reduction in the number of phishes they fall for, which makes them happy, and secures their experience using your service.
Bam! Now you have a strong SMS verification system that not only doesn't disrupt user expectations, but also improves platform security, for a sleek, user-friendly experience.
SMS verification is a key security tool that helps keep your account safe by prompting you to enter a one-time code that's sent to your phone every time you log in (usually). It's a super simple concept found in banking, healthcare, e-commerce, and many other sectors that need to protect sensitive information. But easy as it is to use, SMS isn't perfect. It can still be intercepted and doesn't always function if the user doesn't have cellular signal. As cyberattacks become more and more common, organizations need stronger security to be able to depend on this layer of protection, and with TOTP and clear guidance, you can make SMS that much more secure and user-friendly.
SMS code verification is when you enter a special code that's sent to your phone to confirm that you really are you, after you've already entered your username and password. That way, if somebody else gets ahold of your credentials, they still can't get into your account. It's like a second lock on your front door and it keeps you extra safe -- especially in the age of cyber security worries.
SMS verification typically happens after a user has entered their username and password. Once you've entered your username and password, you'll be prompted to enter a one-time code that's sent to your phone. Enter the code into the app or website and you'll be signed in, so only you can get into your account.
SMS verification isn't very secure. It's prone to something called SIM-swapping, where an attacker takes control of a user's phone number so they can catch the verification codes. And that's not the only way SMS protection can let you down - if a user loses their mobile device, security isn't secure anymore, because whoever finds or buys the device can receive the verification codes. With all the cyber threats out there today, you really want every measure you can get.
There are 5 types of SMS you can use for verification. TOTP (Time-based One-Time Passwords) generates a unique code based on time, and HOTP (HMAC-based One-Time Passwords) uses a counter for code generation. Single Code SMS sends a unique verification code, and every time you use it for Multi-Code SMS you get several codes for several verification actions, and it's a bit more secure.
Banks, online shopping, delivery, Uber, and even your family doctor are all starting to use SMS verification to improve security. Banks use it to send you 2FA codes to confirm your identity before you can send money online. Online stores use it to verify your phone number when you sign up or make changes to your account. This is just a small selection of the ways SMS verification is used—and a good reminder that secure authentication continues to become more and more important.
SMS authentication is fast, easy, cheap, and easy to implement, so it's a popular choice for businesses, but it also has some big downsides. It's not secure--it's easy to intercept--and it's not reliable--deliveries can be delayed. These are the trade-offs to keep in mind when you're considering how to secure your users.
There's a range of ways that organizations can improve their SMS verification process, from selecting a reputable SMS provider, to using clear messaging for user directions, to educating users on how to recognize authentic SMS communications. Taken together, these will help to streamline the process and build trust with users.
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