Sept. 12, 2024
Have you ever had to call a company because you didn't receive the right code? We spend more and more of our time online, and that means security is growing ever more important. Text verification phone numbers are a way of securing accounts that only authorized users can access. They help verify your identify and keep unauthorized users from seeing sensitive information by sending a one-time SMS code. In this post, I'll explain what text verification is, the different types of SMS-based verification services, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. With a solid grasp of how text verification functions and what to watch out for, you can ensure robust online security and a great user experience. This knowledge will help keep your accounts and personal information secure, and give you peace of mind in a world where data breaches are on the rise.
Text verification phone numbers are a big deal in today's digitized world. They're just phone numbers used to send one-time codes over SMS, and they're a big deal because that's one way you can verify users with your app or service. The whole point of SMS verification is to verify that the person trying to access your app or service is who they say they are. If you didn't have a text verification phone number, your app or service would be insecure and incapable of stopping unauthorized access, and that's a big deal in an increasingly digital world.
In practice, SMS verification is when, in your app or service, a user signs up or tries to do something sensitive in their account, we'll send them a single-use code over SMS, which they will then enter back in to your app or site to prove that they own that phone number. This makes things one step more secure and makes it much harder for bad actors to try and access their account in your service without actually having access to that phone number.
You see everyone buying text verification phone numbers because of 2FA. 2FA is a type of security that requires you to provide two different things to get access to your accounts. The first thing is something you know (like a password), and the second is something you have (like a text message code sent to your phone number). When you use 2FA with an SMS verification code, companies can close off their systems so it's nearly impossible for other people to get access to your accounts.
When you log into your bank account, after you put in your password, you have to type in a code sent to your text verification phone number. Only then will you be allowed to get into your bank account. This second check makes it very difficult for people who aren't supposed to get into your account to do so, and it's peace of mind for real users, who get to know that their accounts are really secure.
Text verification phone numbers can provide an additional layer of security for key account setup and recovery. For registration, verifying a phone number with a text message confirms that the phone number is real before the account is created; you don't want bots creating thousands of fake accounts or people abusing the system for fraudulent purposes.
And for recovery (e.g., forgot their password or locked out), they can request a text verification to get back in, so only the rightful owner can get back in, and thereby drastically reduces the chance of identity theft. Using text verification for recovery doesn't just help keep user credentials secure but also helps further secure the overall security posture of a service that cares about user data.
Good text verification flows are key to a good user experience and security posture, and to helping your user feel safe on your platform. By making this process frictionless, transparent, and easy to understand, companies can earn trust with their users. For example, explaining to users why you need their phone number at the time of registration helps set expectations, and offering users the choice to receive codes by SMS or voice call is just a matter of user preference.
In today's digital world, SMS-based verification services are a must-have to secure and improve the user experience of your app. SMS can help you secure your app against unauthorized access. In this post, we'll go over the different services, how they work, and the pros and cons of each.
Transactional SMS verification is useful for any process where an extra layer of security is highly convenient. What happens is that the service sends a One-Time Password (OTP) to your user's mobile number to prove their identity before they can access a specific part of a website or application. It's an added level of security that only allows you to access sensitive areas of a site if you can prove who you are first.
So let's say your user tries to log in. They might receive a text message with a code they can use to prove their identity. This code is dynamic and will expire after a certain period of time, and can only be used once—so even if someone gets access to your user's phone somehow, it would be very difficult for them to use the code to access the site. It's just a few lines of code to set up and there are loads of APIs on the market that can help start offering these kinds of services in your business. These kinds of verification are commonly used by banks, payment applications, or other things online that have private information.
Promotional advertising can also be verification. When businesses send verification that does double duty as advertising, it serves a dual purpose.
For example, when a user signs up for a newsletter or a promotion, they might receive a text asking them to confirm they want to subscribe. This confirmation is usually a text that they have to reply to with a code, or they click a confirm link that they received in their text. With verification in their promotional messages, a business can ensure that they are maintaining a high-quality database of customer contacts, reduce spam, and make sure that they are only speaking with people who actually want to hear from them.
Aside from the standard transactional and promotional uses, specialty SMS verification services such as MobileSMS.io have all kinds of other fun uses for any kind of verification need. MobileSMS.io is a service where you can receive real SMS verification codes from anywhere in the world -- no matter where in the world you're located.
Some of the other things you can do with a service like MobileSMS.io are receive SMS notifications to popular platforms such as Slack or Discord, you can auto-renew for long-term number rentals, and MobileSMS.io also offers a 7-day money-back guarantee just in the extremely rare instance you cannot receive your SMS codes, so you can have peace of mind that you will receive the verification codes you need.
So, when you add it all up with the worldwide coverage, specialty SMS verification services are an amazing tool for any business that wants an extra level of security in their business, and still be able to message people from anywhere in the world. Whether you just need it one time, short term, or long term, you will get the flexibility and reliability you would expect from a modern software service.
In today's interconnected world, keeping user safety and identity protected—and proving it—is more important than ever. One way you might have seen is by using an SMS verification phone number. It's a way to ensure security, but also to ensure that the end user has faith in that digital platform. Here are some ways people are already using SMS verification to their advantage.
When users try to log in to a cloud storage service like Dropbox, they often get sent an SMS with a one-time password (OTP). After they enter a username and password, they'll be asked to enter a code that gets sent to their mobile phone. It's an extra step that makes sure the person logging in is really the person they say they are, and not someone else who may have gotten their credentials somehow. It keeps other people from getting into their account and helps them feel secure with the information they store in the cloud. Because SMS is widely available and can be sent instantly, it's a go-to method for many companies seeking to provide strong user privacy and data integrity.
How does text verification work, and why would your bank ask for your text verification phone number? Security is top of mind in the finance industry. The finance industry, especially banking apps, use SMS to secure your transactions from unauthorized access. When you're sending money or making a high-risk transaction, they will send you an SMS with a code to verify. It verifies that it's actually you in the account and also tips you off to any potentially criminal attempts—an added layer of security. For example, if someone tries to make an unauthorized transaction in your account, you'll get an SMS. Then you can catch it while you are in the act and do something about it. It's a "boogeyman" for criminals and helps the consumer "keep an eye on" security in their account.
When you sign up for e-commerce sites, they often send you a text verification phone number to confirm your identity. You'll enter your info, then get a text with a code that you have to enter to prove you own the phone number you entered. It's a nice way to stop people from creating a bunch of fake, bot accounts because you need access to a real phone number in order to finish registration. And because it's a required part of signing up, it's kind of like the first place you're committing to the site. They're already protecting your information. And as e-commerce continues to boom, it's even more important for them to do so.
So all of these examples have shown you why sending a text verification phone number is a good way to secure your account, whether it's for personal cloud services, banking, or e-commerce. And in the process, you're not only getting a more secure and easy-to-use product, you're getting something you can trust, which makes the whole experience so much better. Sending a text verification phone number as the second step in sending a code is one of the first things you want any service to do to secure your account (and in turn, protecting your information with them).
Your mobile phone is a nearly ever-present device. It's in your pocket, or your purse, it's sitting on the coffee table right in front of you. Why not use your mobile phone to verify that you are who you say you are? You can verify your identity for your bank account, your Facebook account, your email account, your Twitter account--anything at all! Super convenient, right?
Well, like everything in tech, there's a catch to the convenience. We've got the rundown on the pros and cons of SMS verification right here. Does it work? Is it user-friendly? Does it protect you at all?
Another reason SMS verification is a great tool? It's an extra layer of security to help keep your information safe. Here's how it works: After logging in with a username and password, the user will be required to enter a code sent to their phone. This two-factor authentication process significantly lowers the risk of unauthorized access and viewing. For instance, if someone obtained a user's login information, they would be able to log in with just the username and password, since there is no SMS verification. But with text verification, even if a hacker managed to access the login information, they would not be able to access the verification code sent by text message, unless they also had the user's phone. This becomes the final piece of the puzzle to complete in order for unauthorized access, and provides added reassurance for keeping your sensitive information and transactions protected. SMS verification isn't just an easy way to confirm identity -- it's an added layer of protection for you and for your clients. And it's just one of many ways that Twilio helps businesses like yours build meaningful, lasting customer relationships.
And customers appreciate it. Most people have their phone in their pocket, purse, or at arm's length, and even the busiest customer can usually find time to check their phone to get the passcode you sent.
Overall, SMS verification is easier and faster, yielding a more engaged user, which is key to retaining valuable customers. The faster users have access to your app without a long verification process, the better for apps or services using SMS verification since most people open and read texts within 5 minutes, SMS is the best option for user verification.
And it's not great. SMS verification has a major flaw: it's susceptible to SIM swapping attacks. In a SIM swapping attack, a fraudster tricks your mobile carrier into transferring your phone number to a new SIM card. Once the fraudster controls your phone number, they can intercept your SMS verification codes and take over your accounts.
That SMS-only verification is vulnerable is a big deal. As bad actors get increasingly sophisticated, the attacks will evolve. So while it's okay as a first step, SMS verification is frustratingly flimsy for both users and businesses.
Another downside of text verification is that SMS is an unreliable delivery method. When users are in places with poor cell service, or have any kind of technical issue, they may experience delayed SMS or, in extreme cases, no SMS at all, which can lock them out of their accounts or systems altogether. SMS reliability also varies widely by location, which means that the effectiveness of your verification will vary widely as well. In places where cell service is unreliable, users will have issues frequently and will abandon services that require SMS verification in favor of others. This may mean that SMS verification is not the right choice at all for certain applications. SMS verification may be a fast and secure verification option, but there are cultural and technical considerations that make it less convenient or effective in some cases.
A good SMS verification flow is crucial for a solid user experience that's secure. In this section, we'll cover a number of best practices that will help the verification flow as a whole be more seamless, instill confidence, and make your users happy.
In order to build trust and provide a good user experience, you'll want to be transparent with users about the purpose you're using their phone number for. That way the user will understand why you need their phone number, they'll understand why you're using it, and they'll feel confident that you need it and aren't just taking it for no good reason.
When you're transparent about why you're taking the user's phone number, they become more comfortable sharing it with you.
If you don't know why you need a user's phone number, don't ask for it. If you do need it, make sure the user understands why you want it.
When users trust you, they're more likely to engage with your app. When they trust you, they're more likely to spend money and help you grow.
For example, "Your phone number helps us protect your account and ensures that only you can access sensitive information."
You can also communicate what you're not doing with their data, "Phone numbers are securely stored and never used for any other purpose." Trust is a particularly important factor in good user experience, especially during the onboarding process.
Allowing people to choose how they receive their verification codes can hugely improve the user experience. Some like SMS, others prefer voice call -- the more options you give your users, the more likely you are to accommodate their preferences and devices.
Would you add an extra option on your registration page so users can choose how they receive their verification phone number? Not only will it improve verification flow, people won't drop off if their preferred method isn't available. Whenever you have options in your end user experience, you're more likely to convert, because you're just making it easy and convenient for them.
You must be able to validate phone numbers to ensure that your one-time passwords (OTPs) are sent securely and successfully. This means validating the format, cross-referencing databases or directories, and validating that the number is active. By using a phone validation tool, you can reduce the risk of sending OTPs to non-existent or invalid numbers, frustrating users.
Validating phone numbers also has a significant role in risk reduction and fraud prevention. By validating phone numbers, you can help ensure that user profiles are genuine, reduce spam and unregistered use, contributing to a trusted environment.
By using smart retry logic, you can avoid spamming the user with a barrage of the same OTP. Instead of sending many messages in quick succession, which users will hate and could lead them to leave, you can limit the number of retries. That way you can support your user without overwhelming them.
Something like 1 verification request every 30 seconds will help you stay within your API rate limits and keep the user experience from being spammy. It's kind to your users and saves you money by not sending too many messages. It's a smart way to verify users and shows that you are focused on a high quality user experience, all while being secure.
A common UX issue is that the user might never receive their OTP, or might not receive it for quite some time. Allowing them to request a new OTP can address this issue, so they can choose to request a new code if they didn't receive the first one quickly. This can be especially useful for users in low network areas or during times of high traffic.
You'll also want to limit how often they can resend the OTP to prevent abuse. For example, you might allow them to request a new code every X period of time. Giving the user control over their verification process is a huge advantage and will lead to much happier, satisfied users using your app.
Text verification phone numbers are crucial for identifying users on digital platforms. That's what lets platforms send you one-time codes by text message in order to prove that you are who you say you are. It's usually used as part of 2FA (two-factor authentication), which is something you know (your password) and something you have (the text code). It also enables SMS based account creation and account recovery to prevent anyone else from pretending to be you. You have different services like transactional, promotional, and dedicated SMS verification services to meet different security needs and protect your users. But even though SMS verification is extremely convenient and gets users into your app quickly, there are some issues like SIM swapping and reliability that can create security holes. To ensure that your SMS verification is secure, you should follow best practices like clear communication, user choice for code delivery, regular phone validation, smart retry logic, and retry capabilities that provide a great UX and inspire trust in your digital service.
One of the most well-known use cases of text to verify phone numbers is to send a one-time code via SMS to verify that the user is who they say they are. This one-time code is used by many online services to add an extra layer of security to ensure that the person logging in is the rightful account owner.
SMS verification adds an extra layer of security with two-factor authentication (2FA)—instead of just something you know (your password), you need to provide something you have (the verification code sent to you by text). This double requirement makes it much less likely an unauthorized person will be able to access your account; even if they get your password, they can't do anything with it because they need your mobile phone too.
Verification SMS services come in two flavors -- Transactional SMS, which are SMSes for secure operations like logins and password resets, and promotional SMS, which may also contain verification for marketing campaigns. On top of that you can also do international verifications with a special service. Each one has its own use case, but generally they all work to the same goal -- security, and better user engagement.
Text verification provides an added layer of security to make sure only the right people can access their account. But it also provides quick, convenient experiences, with users receiving codes instantly on their mobile phone—which can drive higher user engagement and trust on the platform, and that's crucial for any online transaction.
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Best practices include explaining why phone numbers matter, offering both call and SMS as code delivery options, and continually re-verifying phone numbers. You'll also want intelligent retry logic, so you're not constantly hitting users with the same SMS, and a "resend" button for codes. All of these best practices are designed to build trust, optimize conversion, and make users feel good.
User receiving a text verification phone number
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