IBM recently reported an alarming 71% surge in cyber attacks involving stolen or compromised credentials between 2022 and 2023.
SMS verification using an OTP SMS service can provide a quick and secure solution, enabling users to quickly secure accounts by texting themselves with an account verification code included in a text message.
For this, you can make use of a OTP service provider like MessageCentral which also enables DLT SMS i.e. sending an OTP SMS without the need of a separate DLT registration. You can use their own DLT registered template and customise the same for your brand name.
The platform is also a good Twilio alternative in India as it is lesser expensive, provides a quick 15 min API setup and better 24/7 customer support too.
SMS pin verification has quickly become one of the most convenient methods available for verifying security on websites, but other techniques exist too – you don’t have to rely solely on SMS verification alone; each method offers different benefits and limitations. In this guide, we explore various verification techniques including SMS, WhatsApp, two-factor authentication (2FA), phone calls, and biometrics as methods of user verification.
SMS Verification
SMS Verification is an increasingly popular method for verifying users. This involves sending an OTP (one-time password) code directly to their phone that must then be entered into your site to complete this verification process.
Advantages of SMS Verification:
Broader Audience: SMS verification can reach a wide user base. Most people in the world own mobile phones capable of receiving text messages. SMS can help reach this large user pool with its easy accessibility.
Simple: Our process is designed to be user-friendly; an OTP is sent out via SMS, and users verify OTP by entering directly onto our website for easy usage and understanding.
Real-Time Delivery: SMS messages can be received virtually instantaneously and verified, providing an enjoyable user experience.
WhatsApp Verification
An alternative to SMS verification, WhatsApp verification entails sending an OTP code or verification code via this messaging app and inviting your customer to enter it on their website. Businesses can improve their authenticity by adding a WhatsApp Green Tick so that users find your message reliable.
Advantages of WhatsApp Verification:
WhatsApp provides an engaging experience, and users tend to check it frequently and respond more rapidly than SMS. This high level of engagement can enhance the efficiency of verification processes.
User Experience: WhatsApp’s familiar user experience makes the verification process more user-friendly since many of us use it daily.
Cost-Effective: WhatsApp offers more cost-effective user verification solutions than SMS for large volumes of user verifications, helping reduce associated verification expenses.
Other Verification Methods
There are various other verification methods available, including SMS and WhatsApp. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
- Email Verification
Email verification involves sending a code or confirmation link directly to users’ addresses for verification. Ultimately, to complete this step they must click the link or enter their code into your website to complete it.
Advantages:
Cost-Effective: Email confirmation is more cost-effective than SMS or WhatsApp as there are no message delivery fees involved.
Email accounts are widely utilized: Since most individuals now possess email accounts, this method makes itself accessible to an immense range of individuals.
Disadvantages:
Email Delivery Delays Email delivery can sometimes be delayed by spam filters and this could delay user verification.
Phishing risks: Email verification can leave users vulnerable to phishing attacks, in which malicious email attempts are sent out with the purpose of gathering sensitive data from users.
- Phone Verification
This process includes an automated phone call being placed to a user’s phone containing an OTP code or verification code for them to enter on your website. Once received, they should listen carefully before entering it themselves.
Advantages:
Resilient Solution: It offers users who cannot receive SMS texts an alternative option that relies on voice communication for messaging and voice calls.
Disadvantages: Automated calls can be intrusive and less user-friendly than text-based solutions.
Cost: This method is more costly than SMS and email verification.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication adds another layer of protection by requiring users to provide additional forms of identification besides just their password – for instance a code generated by an app or an OTP sent via SMS.
Advantages: 2FA provides improved security, as it requires two types of verification to access a system. This makes it more challenging for unauthorized users to gain entry.
Versatility: SMS and email authentication as well as mobile-phone-based authentication applications provide additional authentication methods that can be combined.
- Biometric Authentication
Biometric authentication is a form of identity verification used to authenticate users using physical characteristics like fingerprints or facial recognition.
Benefits:
Better Security: Biometric methods offer increased security as they are difficult to copy or forge, giving users added peace of mind.
User Convenience: Entering codes and passwords can often be faster and simpler for most.
Disadvantages:
Improper Hardware Requirements: For facial and fingerprint recognition systems to function optimally, special hardware must be purchased, including facial recognition cameras and fingerprint scanners.
Privacy Concerns: Users may be concerned with how their biometric data will be stored and utilized.
- Social Media Authentication
Users can log in and register using social media accounts such as Facebook, Google, or Twitter.
Advantages:
Simplified Login: Enabling users to log in without needing to remember additional passwords is one key benefit of our solution.
Simple User Experience (UUI): Making registration more user-friendly will result in higher registration rates.
Disadvantages:
Privacy Issues: Users might be concerned about sharing their social media data with third-party sites.
Dependency on Third-Party Service: Relying on the availability and functionality of social networking platforms to deliver services is integral for success.
How Can You Use MessageCentral to Verify SMS?
MessageCentral’s comprehensive solution simplifies SMS verification. Simply create an account on their site and verify your email. Using their Dashboard you can then obtain API credentials so as to integrate SMS functionality into your website or app. Use the API documentation provided to securely send and manage OTPs with MessageCentral’s dashboard, while setting rate limits to prevent abuse of messages delivered. Provide clear SMS messages and provide user support if any verification issues arise, while reviewing performance analytics regularly to optimize the process. MessageCentral’s user-friendly interface, robust features, and secure verification process guarantee a safe and efficient user experience.
Conclusion
Protecting and safeguarding the security and integrity of your website are both of vital importance. WhatsApp and SMS verification offer user-friendly solutions for website protection; WhatsApp is more popular but SMS is still widely accessible. Other verification techniques, including email, phone calls (2FA), biometrics, and social media may further increase security measures on offer.
MessageCentral’s robust features and seamless integration make the SMS verification process easy. By setting up your account and integrating SMS functionality, you can achieve a safe and efficient SMS verification process for your audience. These tools and techniques will create an environment that provides maximum security while remaining user-friendly for them.
