How SMS OTP authentication is the secure way to log in?

These days most organizations look for the authentic ways to upgrade their security systems as online security and data protection are vital for any business. The organizations try hard to find a secure alternative for their users that is simple and cost-effective, and all their efforts boil down to the most popular choice-One-time passwords (OTPs). 2FA or Two Factor Authentication adds additional security to your identity authentication so that your company's data or your personal data is less susceptible to vulnerabilities and threats. SMS based two-factor authentication (2FA) helps the users to verify their identities with a code that is sent to them via SMS/text message. 2FA acts as a second layer of security check-in before the user wants to access any network, system, or application, etc. What is an OTP? An OTP is a short auto-generated string of characters or numbers sent to the user’s phone via SMS etc, who has initiated the request for particular login access. SMS OTP is a 'must do' activity, without performing which, you won't be able to complete the login process. OTPs are a reliable form of 2-Factor-Authentication of your identity that reduces the threat of fraud dramatically. The user can access a network or application only if they fill in the right username and/or password that is provided to them via the SMS OTP. SMS OTP messages are one-time use and novel to every single user.

How does the SMS OTP work? The SMS OTP works quite simply. Let us explain with an example. Suppose you want to log in to your g-mail account. As it is obvious, you would first fill in your email address and then your password. Do you directly get access to your account after signing in? The answer is 'NO'. Google would send you a 2FA verification code on your registered mobile number to authenticate your identity. Most of the time it is a numerical code. You fill the exact same code in your browser application and then get access to your Gmail account. Many high-tech organizations like Amazon, Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc use the 2FA SMS OTP authentication method for the security of their users. The banking sector also carries out most of their work with SMS OTP 2FA. You were assured, once you got the SMS. Thus, SMS acted as a stamp of security for you and your families and saving you from a lot of unwanted stress and hustle. Why is SMS OTP authentication considered the secure way to log in? So, to steal your passwords, a person has to steal your phone. Thus, we can say that the security is always tight with the SMS OTP. Another reason why SMS OTPs are considered the safest is that SMS OTPs have many benefits over traditional passwords. In the traditional password system, the usernames and passwords get stored in the network and hence become vulnerable to replay attacks, and the hackers know their game well. Hackers can easily fool the system and get access to your accounts, applications, etc. But this is not the case with OTPs. A single SMS OTP is used to authenticate your identity only one time. After a certain time-limit is exhausted, even if unused, they become obsolete. Hence the question of replay attacks doesn't come into sight.