In today’s digital world, signing up for a new online service has become a common and often necessary part of our daily lives. Whether it’s for online shopping, banking, or social media, providing personal information is a necessary step in the process. But how can online services be sure that the person signing up is really who they say they are? Enter SMS verification – a simple and straightforward way to verify a user’s identity. In this article, we’ll explore what SMS verification is all about. So grab a coffee, kick back, and let’s take a closer look at this increasingly important aspect of online security.
What is SMS Verification?
Also called two-factor authentication (2FA) based on an SMS verification code or one-time password (OTP), SMS verification is an essential way to double-verify the identity of a user when he or she uses a website service, or application, bank account, and social network. With a username and password provided, an SMS verification code will be also sent to a phone number owned by the user so that the login will be completed after two-factor authentication.
Undoubtedly, easiness and convenience lead SMS verification to be a leading way to verify the validity of an online user. Recent years have witnessed SMS verification be accepted by online users and customers due to its convenience and simplicity.
How does SMS Verification Work?
An SMS verification usually conforms to the steps as such below.
- Step 1. Log in to your online account with a valid username and password.
- Step 2. Provide a valid phone number to the service provider and click a “Get a Verification Code” button nearby.
- Step 3. Enter the received SMS verification code to complete the verification process.
Sounds familiar?
That’s what you do as you sign up for accounts on WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, WeChat, or even Amazon, etc.
Pros and Cons of SMS Verification
Although SMS verification is being widely used on most websites or applications, it still features both pros and cons.
Pros of SMS Verification
Secure
Security has its own relative independent ability and the security here refers to that when compared with a password. A password is stable and tends to be easily stolen. An SMS verification is active and it only works within a limited time. Even though it gets stolen, the account may still be well protected if it goes beyond the code “shelf life”.
Simple
SMS verification is so simple that the whole process costs just as little as a couple of seconds. Service providers, they don’t need to worry that potential will possibly give up registration because of the lack of a tool. After all, everyone has a smartphone, even a phone.
Cheap (or Free)
No extra tools are needed but a smartphone and no extra cost is needed but a phone plan compatible with text messages. Therefore, it’s cheap to finish any SMS verification.
Cons of SMS Verification
Risky
Everything is risky when it comes to the internet. It’s equivalently risky for the SMS verification system to be hacked. Whenever that occurs, the verification will be dangerous.
What if a Smartphone Gets Lost?
Once a smartphone is lost, SMS verification will be risky if your private phone number is used.
Sync Devices
It’s quite possible to receive SMS verification codes from other devices like laptops, desktops, tablets, or watches. The more devices SMS verification is used, the riskier it will be.
How to Bypass SMS Verification?
SMS verification aims to testify the validity of an online person to finally ensure the validity of the account so that the registered account is not a ghost account. Moreover, it’s convenient to contact customers via a phone number so that marketing information can be instantly sent to customers.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to bypass SMS verification when registering for an account. But there are reliable solutions to completing SMS verification without effort.
Just Use Your Private Phone Number (Last Solution to Consider)
It’s quite common to see a private phone number used for all online accounts’ registrations. It’s handy, after all. Everyone has a phone number that is kept in mind and whenever a valid phone number is required to be provided, it’s effortless to enter it.
Unfortunately, have you ever considered the risk of using the same private phone number for all accounts?
Pros
- Simple and handy
Cons
- Extremely insecure. Private phone numbers are always linked to essentially important accounts like bank accounts, etc. Once a private phone number is used to sign up for online accounts and one of the accounts gets hacked, the private phone number will be instantly leaked with those important accounts being risky as well.
- Incapable to use. Some online accounts call for a certain area code phone number so that the private phone number fails to meet the demands. For example, a businessman living in Nigeria has all customers from the US and a US number is needed when he/she wants to sign up for an Amazon account.
Use the SMS Verification Service
As you search the keyword “SMS verification” in Google, lots of SMS verification services will be displayed among search results, like Receive SMS Online or ReceiveSMS. The fundamental principle of these services is to provide a virtual phone number (only valid for 7 days if free) to receive SMS text messages for online registration.
Pros
- Partially free. The number provided by such services is claimed to be usually within the “shelf life” of 7 days.
Cons
- Insecure. The same number may be used for registration by millions of people and it’s easy for anyone to hack into any account linked to this number.
- Incapable to work. The registration history of a number is vague so it fails to ensure that the provided number can really work. After all, one phone number can be linked to an online account once.
Use a Second Phone Number (Recommended)
The best way to pass SMS verification is to have your own phone number specifically for getting an SMS verification code as an online account is to be registered. Maybe you think I’m kidding. But nowadays, many people have more than one phone number on their smartphones and a majority really need a second phone number but they have no idea how much they need it or they may think getting a second phone number is both troublesome and costly.
Where to get a second phone number, then?
The best place to find an extra number is a second phone number app. There’s no need to get a second smartphone or SIM card but what you really need is just a number alone. A second number is needed to receive the SMS verification code and it should be a valid real number with a true area code and full digits.
Don’t directly say NO to virtual or VOIP numbers because they are able to work as long as they contain real area codes and full digits. Therefore, it’s an optimal solution to get a second phone number from a number app like Dingtone.
Pros
- A second phone number app provides a number plan at a low cost. For example, a $4.99 number plan from Dingtone covers unlimited calls and text messages and a number capable to sign up for almost all online accounts.
- A self-owned second phone number belongs to nobody but you so it’s guaranteed that it’s only linked with ONE account on the same website or app.
Cons
- You possibly should pay. It costs money to get a self-owned phone number. Although it’s quite cheap, you should still pay.
FAQs about SMS Verification
Is SMS verification secure?
Everything is relatively secure in the current world where everything connects, including SMS verification. However, it’s been widely used as a top way to verify a user’s identity, which has been proved it’s the most secure and reliable.
What do I do if I haven’t received my SMS verification code?
First, ensure whether the number you provided is valid to receive the SMS verification code. After all, not all phone numbers can help to pass the SMS verification code.
Then, you should check whether the phone number has already been linked to another account on this website or application. If it’s been used by anyone else, it won’t work again.
Next, if the number doesn’t belong to the above two conditions but you still failed to receive the SMS verification code, you can either wait a couple of minutes or consult with your number carrier. Sometimes, it’s the network that stops SMS verification code from arriving in time, and waiting a couple of minutes may be a good idea.
How to get a free virtual mobile number for SMS verification in the Philippines?
You can get a free virtual mobile number compatible with the SMS verification requirements from Dingtone in the Philippines. Dingtone credits can be earned in multiple ways so that they can be spent on calling and texting minutes or number plans.
How to get a free virtual mobile number for SMS verification in the US?
Some people working in the US carry a phone number with an area code of their own countries and they call for a US phone number. A number app helps them to have another phone number without the need to add another smartphone.
Dingtone has gained the most users from the US and they use Dingtone to call and text anyone at a low cost. Moreover, they also use second phone numbers to separate business and private life or pass SMS verification while signing for accounts online.
How to bypass SMS verification in India?
SMS verification can be completed in India with a free number got from Dingtone. With the Dingtone number filled in the right place, the SMS verification code will be sent in a text message to you via the Dingtone application notification.
How to bypass online SMS verification in Bangladesh?
According to the content in the previous parts of this article, you can bypass SMS verification in Bangladesh in three ways, that is, use your private phone number (not recommended because it’s extremely insecure), online SMS verification service (not recommended because it may be useless) or a second phone number app (recommended). Dingtone covers a large number of users in Bangladesh and provides them with high-quality and low-cost calling and texting services.
Does a virtual mobile number work for SMS verification?
It depends on the specific numbers.
No matter a virtual mobile number, a VOIP number, or a SIM card number, a number is valid as long as it contains a real area code and full digits and it’s been verified to be capable. It’s more related to the phone carrier. Therefore, it’s an optimal idea to select a reliable and long-term telecommunication provider like Dingtone.
How to get a virtual SMS for Gmail verification?
The simplest way to get a virtual SMS message for Gmail verification is to get a number from Dingtone. Dingtone numbers have been verified to be legitimate for Google accounts, including Gmail.
Does a VOIP number work for SMS verification?
A VOIP number doesn’t surely mean to be invalid. It still depends on the validity of a specific number. Generally speaking, a VOIP number provided by a reliable provider definitely works for SMS verification. Therefore, getting a number from a VOIP application like Dingtone is a good solution to bypass SMS verification. Moreover, it’s cheap and handy.