Sept. 7, 2024
Concerned about cyber criminals gaining access to your accounts? In an era when the internet and cyber threats are becoming more advanced, it's crucial to have solid user identity verification in place. That's where an SMS verification API comes in. It provides an extra layer of protection with unique One-Time Passwords (OTPs) sent to the user's phone. With this technology, businesses can have greater confidence that no one can gain access and conduct unauthorized transactions, creating a safer environment for their users. In this article, I'll explain what SMS verification is, how it verifies users, and what that means for users and businesses that need to secure information. I'll also show you how to implement SMS verification, the key benefits of using SMS verification over other methods, and real-life use cases showing how different industries are already using it.
An SMS verification API is a way for modern applications to be able to send and receive SMS messages specifically for the purpose of verifying a user's identity. That's an important part of digital security -- it's what makes sure the person logging into an app is really the person they're saying they are. With it, developers can stop unauthorized people from logging in, while making it quick and easy for real users to log in.
The most common approach is to send a One-Time Password (OTP) to the user's phone. That OTP is a short-term password reset -- it's how you make sure the user is really who they're saying they are, before you give them access to a sensitive app. That way, even if a hacker somehow nabs the user's password, they'd need the unique SMS code too. With that second level of authentication, you can add a lot of extra protection to your sensitive app (which, chances are, holds sensitive user data)!
Twilio's Verify API, for example, lets you easily add SMS verification systems to your app. They're a pre-made, one-size-fits-all bridge between your app and the mobile phone networks, so you don't need to understand the ins and outs of the networks to make complex authentication systems.
This easy integration means you can spend your time creating a great user experience for your customers, not worrying about how to do something technical.
All in all, tools like Twilio make it easy for businesses to handle user verification. They're compatible with a lot of programming languages, have good resources and code examples, and on top of all that, they're handling 4.8 billion verifications a year, so you can trust it's a good system. SMS verification APIs make it easy for businesses to manage user verification.
When you sign in to a website or app, you might see a screen that looks like this:
They're asking you for your phone number so they can text you a one-time PIN code. If you enter that PIN in correctly, then they know you're the real owner of that phone number, and not some hacker trying to break into someone else's account.
That's called SMS verification. It's an easy and secure way to prove that you're really the owner of the phone number you're trying to sign in with.
But why should you need SMS verification? Shouldn't your password be enough? Well, passwords can easily be hacked. You could have the most secure password on the planet, and it wouldn't matter. Hackers have a million ways to intercept or steal your password.
With SMS verification, they wouldn't just need to steal your password. They would also need to steal your phone, so they could get that PIN code that the website sends your phone. This is called two-factor authentication (2FA). And it's quickly becoming the new standard in secure applications and is especially critical for apps that handle sensitive user information or large dollar transactions.
By adding that extra layer of security, applications can block unauthorized access, account takeovers, and fraud. Organizations that use SMS for verifications are not only protecting their platform but also giving their users peace of mind. Why? Because you're asking for sensitive information (their phone number), and you want to make sure you can protect it, especially in the day and age where cybercrime is at an all-time high.
People are much more likely to check their text messages than any other digital communication method—and the numbers prove it. Text messages have a 98% open rate, and 90% are read within 3 seconds. You can use SMS to send verification codes that you want users to act on quickly, providing you with higher engagement numbers, less dropoff in the signup process, and a better user experience overall. It’s also internet-free, making it an accessible verification method for people in all walks of life, all over the world.
A SMS verification API lets you easily—and reliably—authenticate your users so you can build trust and engagement with your customer base. SMS is one of the most effective ways to verify a user, thanks to its high open and read rates. Most people will check their text messages, so you’ve got a much better chance of reaching them via SMS verification API than email or push notifications. For example, SMS messages have a 98% open rate, and 90% of those are read within 3 seconds.
Security is a top priority for users in the digital age. SMS verification APIs are becoming more crucial in fortifying accounts and preventing security breaches across a wide variety of platforms. Using SMS verification enables businesses to enhance user authentication and protect accounts from unauthorized access.
SMS verification APIs are a really great way to prevent unauthorized access by adding an extra layer of security when verifying a user's identity. In short, it sends a unique One-Time Password (OTP) to the user's registered mobile device so that only the person with that phone number can access their account. With the sophistication of cyber threats these days, simple login credentials like username and password don't cut it. The extra OTP transmitted via SMS is a check to confirm that the user is who they say they are, and acts as a protective barrier against potential hackers or credential theft.
Plus, this SMS-based method of verification greatly improves the user experience. The code arrives directly on the user's mobile device, which not only keeps them safe, but also means they never have to remember a complex password. In a world where countless accounts with weak credentials are hacked every day, SMS verification is a simple way to reinforce user authentication security.
A lot of people use weak passwords. If you do, SMS verification is a great way to ensure that only the account owner can log in. Which is useful because if someone does get their hands on your password the 2nd layer from SMS verification makes sure they can't log in. Dual-factor authentication like this is a useful bulwark against potential phishing attacks, where people end up unwittingly handing over their password (or other sensitive info).
Weak passwords? Yeah, we do that. But SMS verification? We do a different security token even if someone else has your password. We don't just rely on your regular password to give you access to our systems, so we're much safer. Not only is that good for user trust, but it also removes some of the danger of password re-use.
The global A2P messaging market is growing, and more and more of that growth is coming from SMS verification. In 2022, it's projected to be valued at nearly $67 billion, and grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 4.9% from 2023-2030. This is good news, because it means more and more people and businesses are recognizing the importance of SMS verification and looking for more ways to help businesses keep user data secure.
When it comes to new technology, few solutions offer the combination of simplicity and value that SMS verification does, allowing businesses to easily implement an additional layer of security that keeps them competitive and keeps their users safe.
Major verticals like finance and e-commerce can really take advantage of SMS verification APIs.
In finance, security is everything. Your customers need to trust you and know that their personal and financial information is safe with you. When they do, they will trust you and stay longer. With fewer account takeovers, you're doing your part for cybersecurity, and your customers feel secure with you.
In e-commerce, you're leveraging security to increase trust and, in turn, conversion. When potential customers know their information and their transactions are safe, they're more likely to convert, and that security equals customer loyalty and more conversions overall, and that equals growth for your business in the digital world.
Because data privacy laws are only going to get tighter, and companies will be required to be GDPR compliant and PCI DSS compliant, SMS verification is the most powerful tool companies have to secure their app and remain compliant. Verifying who the user is, companies can verify that the phone number associated with the account meets the highest security requirements.
When you verify your users with SMS, you're communicating to the world that you take the security of user data seriously, and that you're taking steps to protect that data from being hacked. This kind of proactiveness can help you avoid costly fines and non-compliance, which can save you money, and can help you establish trust with your users. Verifying your users with SMS isn't just about the security of your app. It says a lot about who you are as a company.
All of this is really just to say that SMS verification APIs are how you secure your users and user accounts, and are a key part of your overall cybersecurity strategy, and that's pretty much all there is to it.
With a Gmail inbox, it's really easy to get a ton of email addresses to send to. And since Gmail is free, you can just create a bunch of inboxes and use each inbox as a 'unique' user.
The first step of SMS verification is when users are asked for their mobile number. This could be during signup or when they are logging into an application. Once the app has a user's mobile number, it has a way to verify that the user is who they say they are. This is an extra level of security and helps trust to be built between the user and app. Once a mobile number is verified, companies can reduce fake registrations and have at least one piece of known information about a user.
When they verify their mobile number, users are given a code via SMS. The visual of the verification code screen should be able to be customized. Giving the user clear instructions, so users know what they're doing every step of the way and aren't stuck waiting. Plus, whitespace and phone number formatting can be validated so there is no formatting or whitespace that will mess with the user's experience. The SMS verification code is texted, the user can enter it, and it can be sent to your servers.
Once the user has entered their phone number, the app sends a One-Time Password (OTP). The OTP is a code that can only be used once, and it's used to prove the user is who they say they are. With an SMS API, the app sends an SMS to the user that contains the OTP code.
You will want the OTP to be unique and time-bound so that the code is only good for a short period of time to secure. You'll also want safeguards against users requesting loads of OTPs to abuse your app. And you'll probably want the message to be branded with your app's name or other brand context to help the user trust your SMS and quickly identify and open your message.
Once they've received an SMS with the OTP inside, they'll be prompted to enter it in the app. This is crucial to ensure the person trying to access the account is the rightful owner of the phone number. The user will write a text back into the app, which will confirm that they've entered the correct OTP that was sent to them.
Incorporating feedback mechanisms like success and error messages is an excellent way to improve the user experience. For example, if the OTP entered is incorrect, you can alert the app user that the code is invalid or expired, and to try again or request a new code, which will not only enhance engagement but also maintain your security measures.
Verifying a user's phone number takes some pretty fancy parsing to grab that one-time code from an SMS. You may need to take a look at the SMS and parse the content to extract the specific code intended for the user. Because these codes are time-sensitive, you'll also want to make sure your app prompts the user to enter the code within a certain time limit so people can't take their time and keep trying until they get it.
You'll also want mechanisms to keep track of how many times an OTP has been entered and at what timestamps, to look for any suspicious activity with your OTPs. Because if someone is up to no good, they may try to guess the OTP 10 times in a row in less than 1 second and you can program your app to block any OTPs that look like that.
Having these strong security measures in place will ensure your app is industry standard and secure for your users.
Many SMS APIs, like Google's SMS Retriever API, can help make SMS verification easier. With this API, for example, the user can receive an SMS code without having to enter it themselves, which is a highly demanded feature that more and more people are using SMS APIs to achieve a great user experience.
SMS Retriever API does this by letting your app listen for an SMS message that was sent specifically to your app. When we send one of these SMS, the API will recognize your app's unique hash, and automatically retrieve the code for you. This reduces errors from manual entry, leads to better overall user experience, and is more secure (it is an interception proof method).
Basically, using SMS verification and these tools makes turning out secure apps that verify users, don't require manual entry, and don't drive users nuts so easy.
In the digital age, businesses are using SMS to verify themselves and their transactions online. There are a number of reasons why SMS-based verification is more secure than email and technology is advancing so that the user experience is better than ever. As a two-factor authentication tool, SMS is great!
Text message verification enjoys a 98% open rate--much higher than email (typically 20%)--and they're usually read within a few minutes of being received, making them really effective for instant verifications. For example, if the user needs to access a secure account or verify a transaction, you can send them a text with a unique verification code, and since SMS is so fast, the user won't have to wait, you won't lose them to inactivity, and they'll be able to get back to whatever they were doing on your app or site with very little interruption.
In cybersecurity, SMS verification is very effective. They're strong protection against phishing, because the codes are sent to the user's mobile phone. Mobile phones tend to be safer than email, so the risk of someone falling for a phishing scam is also reduced. Unlike emails, which are easily spoofed or compromised, text messages are a secure means of communication. Because the codes arrive on the user's own device, it's difficult for an attacker to intercept the codes unless they have physical access to the user's mobile phone. This makes SMS security a great means of building user trust, since users will feel safer knowing that their own verification process is more difficult to spoof or hijack by malicious actors on the internet.
SMS verification doesn't just make your app more secure, it also makes for a better user experience overall. With SMS codes, you don't have to remember some long, complex password to log in, and isn't that a welcome change? Too often, you have to jump through hoops to remember some needlessly complex password, and even then, the process of verification is long-winded and inconvenient. With SMS, you simply copy and paste a verification code. Less barriers, and easier access to their accounts, all while staying secure. That means fewer losses for your business, and happier customers who appreciate the simplicity of SMS authentication.
Cost is another major advantage to using SMS verification systems. While more advanced solutions exist, in general, it's cheaper to send run-of-the-mill, canned messaging, especially when using 3rd party services for mass messaging. Many of which offer pay-as-you-go and volume-based pricing structures that allow you to blast out a huge number of messages without a hefty price tag. For example, an SMS API will let you send and receive text messages programmatically so you can build and manage your own communication network without having to set up your own infrastructure. This low bar to entry is why 2FA using SMS verification is an option for many small businesses and startups that are budget conscious.
In the digital age, SMS verification is a key means of enhancing security and building confidence with users in many different verticals. Here are some select businesses that have used SMS verification effectively to better their security, user experience, and bottom line.
Triodos Bank has implemented user verification via sending 250,000 SMS messages a month—a volume already set to grow now that they're reaping the benefits of using SMS verification to secure their users. User verification is a security feature, but it also builds trust. And in finance, trust is paramount. Customers need to feel confident when they're handling their money. With strong user verification, Triodos Bank has been able to cultivate that confidence leading to high levels of customer retention and satisfaction. SMS verification API.
Companies like Stripe use SMS verification to help secure financial transactions. Secure transactions mean fewer things like unauthorized access, fraud, etc. Financial platforms hold sensitive user data, so data security is a big deal. With SMS verification, the transaction is guaranteed to be verified through a secure channel, providing an extra layer of security. Which not only keeps the transaction safe, but it's also user-friendly, making transactions easy to complete with confidence for the user.
E-commerce platforms have seen big improvements to their conversion rates when they add SMS verification to their checkout process. In general, people abandon their carts over fear of having their financial information stolen if they enter their credit card and other personal information online. With SMS verification, the e-commerce business can stop this problem before it starts. The added layer of security reassures customers their information is secure. The outcome? Less cart abandonment and not only higher conversion rates but higher customer lifetime value (people return to places where they feel secure).
There's so many case studies online about the amazing ROI of SMS verification solutions, especially with a reliable API like Twilio Verify. Some companies have seen as much as a 174% return on their user authentication spend. That means, for every dollar they spend on SMS verification, they get $1.74 back. It's a lot. It also gives you an idea of how much you stand to gain by adding SMS verification. When you have really strong authentication, you can block fraud, avoid operational losses, and create a better customer experience. And because the APIs are no-fuss to add to your tech stack and just work, you can see all that ROI right away.
One-time passwords are also a main way that businesses are using SMS verification to improve security. By requiring that users input a one-time code sent to their phone number, businesses can make sure that users are who they say they are before granting them access to a secure system. In fact, many companies also use one-time codes to verify a user's phone number during the signup process. For example, when a user signs up for a new service, the service sends them a one-time code to confirm that the phone number they entered is correct, and that the user is the owner of that phone number. It's a super secure process because only the person with access to the phone number can get the code!
SMS verification has also significantly decreased user acquisition friction in many industries. The traditional verification process can be slow and clunky, often leading to high levels of drop-off. With SMS verification, companies are able to verify users quickly, often in just a few seconds. By sending a one-time code to users to input and verify themselves in real-time, businesses do away with the wait times associated with lengthy web forms or manual checks. This means that users can onboard quickly and start using the service with minimal frustration right away.
Using SMS verification for your business is a core way to ensure that you're secure, that your users are happy, and that you're working at your best. These business use cases are just a few examples of how the digital world is using SMS verification to make things safer for everyone. SMS doesn't just keep you secure, it helps you deliver a best-in-class user experience too. SMS keeps the internet safe for everyone.
SMS verification APIs are the new hotness. And there's good reason for that.
They're one of the simplest ways to safeguard the people who use your digital application, by adding an additional step to the process of confirming their identity. Basically, these verification APIs work by sending things like One-Time Passwords (OTPs), and in that way, they're effective at keeping bad actors from accessing your app. But they can also help ensure that your real users have a great experience logging in: thanks to APIs from companies like Twilio, it's super easy for you to add the capability to your app, so you can give the people who use your app a great user experience.
Businesses don't just start using SMS verification APIs because we're told that they're new and cool. More and more, businesses are adopting them in place of other methods because they can see the value in using them, and that's especially true for industries like finance and e-commerce, where security and customer trust are a huge priority. With SMS verification, businesses can continue to meet strict data protection requirements, while also enjoying operational efficiency that translates to a higher ROI and more happy customers.
An SMS verification API is used to increase digital security by authenticating a user's identity through SMS messages, ensuring that the people using an application are who they say they are, not someone trying to sign in without permission.
SMS verification adds an additional layer of security to your sign-in process by requiring you to enter a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to your mobile device in addition to your regular password. Even if your password is compromised, the attacker would still need access to the OTP to access your account, making it much more difficult for unauthorized parties to access your account.
SMS performs really well, with 98% open rates and rapid read times, making it a more dependable channel than email or push notifications for time-sensitive verifications. Plus SMS doesn't need data to send or receive messages, unlike email or push notifications, so it works for your full user base.
Making the authentication process easier, SMS verification means no more having to rely on complex passwords that you'll forget in 10 minutes, for a smoother login. You can see the verification code almost instantly, instead of waiting for minutes, which can feel like forever.
By using SMS verification, businesses are signaling they take user data seriously, and that customers can trust them. More security means less risk, which is reassuring for customers, especially when making sensitive transactions.
SMS verification helps you stay compliant with GDPR, PCI DSS, and other data protection laws by providing an extra layer of authentication, so you can prevent data breaches and demonstrate that you're securing user data—and not get sued, fined—or worse.
Yes, adding SMS verification to your checkout process can dramatically improve your conversion rates. By reducing drop-offs due to security concerns at checkout, you'll build trust with your customers, who will be more likely to complete more transactions.
Developers might need to deal with complexity around making it simple for an end user to use, handling generation and validation of the OTP, making sure people can't game the system and request an OTP many times, and more. All on top of securing it—meaning the integration is strong and folks can't easily circumvent the authentication flow.
Businesses can use SMS APIs like Twilio’s, with solid documentation and support that makes it easy to plug in. These APIs allow for very large scale solutions, so companies can send 2,000 SMS messages without breaking the bank, and still effectively verify users at scale.
Case studies are great because you can see real-life examples of SMS verification in action across different verticals to see how it improves security, how it enhances user experience, and how it drives operational efficiency. You can see for yourself how companies are using it in practice, based on their actual use case.
sms verification api with a smartphone showing an OTP SMS notification
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