It used to be that passwords were enough to protect your online accounts, but as hacking technology got more sophisticated, there was also the need to come up with more robust security systems. An example would be two-factor authentication which reduces the chances of your account getting broken into even if the hacker knew your password.
However given that no security system is perfect as eventually hackers can find ways around them, it means that such systems need to evolve which is what major US carriers have come together to do. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon have recently announced that they are working on a next-gen mobile authentication system under the banner group “Mobile Authentication Taskforce”.
Through this system, it will take into account a variety of factors to determine the user’s identity and whether or not actions performed by them are indeed by the user. This system will consider factors such as IP address, SIM card attributes, phone account type, a network verified number, and so on.
It is also expected to deploy things like machine learning so that it can understand the user’s habits over time, which will also allow it to assess risks. According to the group, interested developers who wish to take part in this new system can submit their applications.
Filed in . Read more about AT&T, Security, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.