How does your average day start?
With your favorite dose of caffeine, rushing around to get work ready, and in between – scrolling through social media.
Yes, it has become an INTEGRAL part of our DAILY ROUTINE. Most of us even have saved passwords and auto-logins on our devices. But what are we doing for our safety?
We open our social media apps, check the latest updates, connect with people, conduct business, and then close the app. We don’t even give second thoughts about logging out or adding a layer of identity verification for better safety.
Privacy, security, and authenticity concerns have also grown with the rise of online interactions. Statistics show that over 70% of Americans store their passwords in cloud servers. One of the best ways to achieve a safer online environment is through an online identity verification process.
This article will highlight a few life-saving digital identity verification methods to enhance user safety, online privacy, and integrity of social media platforms.
15 Identity Verification Tips to Secure Your Social Media Presence
Create a better-protected social media experience by upgrading your security measures. Let’s explore 15 ID verification possibilities beyond username and password. Starting with the most important methods:
1. Two-factor Authentication
Two-Factor Authentication is a widely used method that requires users to provide secondary information to prove their authenticity. After entering your password, the system will conduct a second verification step to ensure identification.
For instance, users receive a temporary code or security question on the registered phone number or email. This adds an extra layer of security.
2. Biometric Verification
Biometric data can enhance identity verification accuracy and improve social media security. Automated ID tools such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or iris scans ensure safe browsing and make it difficult for impostors to gain unauthorized access.
3. Phone Number Verification
One of the most common forms of logging is phone number verification. Users get a One-Time Password (OTP) on the registered mobile number to authenticate the account holder’s identity. It establishes a direct connection between the individual and the account, deterring fake account creation.
4. Email ID Verification
During account creation, the system will send a notification saying, “Please click the link sent to your email address for further registration.” This step is mainly to confirm if the user is genuine and whether they have submitted their OWN email address. If not, it is a fraudulent activity.
Quick Tip: Do not click on links that you haven’t generated. It can give hackers access to your account.
5. Video Verification
It is safe to say that live selfies and videos are the most authentic way of confirming one’s ID. Beware of such social media profiles that have no authentic images or videos. Video verification is a powerful tool in the identity verification process.
6. Blockchain Verification
Blockchain technology manages a secure record of user identities and interactions. It stores the data in a decentralized manner, thus restricting unauthorized account access and preventing identity theft.
7. Account Linking
To ensure account safety, always check for cross-references or account links. Cross-referencing a user’s social media accounts across platforms can help verify their identity.
Most authentic profiles integrate their social media accounts to show authenticity and consistency.
So, answer this, would you trust a user with no authentication or user whose social media profiles are interlinked?
8. Identity Document Scanning
The verification of digital registrations can make the web a better place, don’t you agree? Document scanning technology does just that!
Users can submit official ID documents such as driver’s licenses or passports for verification purposes, reducing the likelihood of fake accounts.
9. Location Tracking
One way of knowing if a profile is real or fake is by checking the user’s location.
Imagine dealing in a business transaction with a user based out of New York. On further investigation, you come across their current location being in California. Isn’t this a matter of suspicion?
Platforms can compare the actual and reported location to ensure that the user is genuine by accessing their location data. This can save thousands of users from falling into fraudulent activities.
Quick Tip: Don’t share your daily route on social media; fraudsters can misuse your information
10. Behavior Analysis
Every social media profile has a unique operating style based on their preferences.
For example, as a travel enthusiast, you will interact with people such as yourself and check more such updates. When you notice inconsistencies in the profile, it is a red flag. It can mean that profile is just scanning the app for potential targets.
11. CAPTCHA Tool
This tool recognizes bots and safeguards information from them. While often seen as a simple tool, CAPTCHA presents challenges the human mind can solve, thus granting them access to information. This effectively prevents automated bots from creating fake accounts, reducing the potential for scams.
12. Automated ID Verification
Advanced AI algorithms regularly scan online data for suspicious behavior. It can analyze social media profiles and content for inconsistencies and identify potentially fraudulent accounts.
13. Social Verification
Social media apps can perform identity verification checks internally and externally.
Externally – Through AI tools and ID verification methods
Internally – By increasing your network with friends and business relationships who can collaborate to your profile authenticity.
14. Periodic Re-Verification
While signing in, the app at times asks for re-verification. It asks the user to re-enter the social security questions and update recovery information. This step ensures that the account is up to date, the user is who they claim to be, and reduces the chances of malicious activities.
15. User Reputation Score
A user’s profile activities, interactions & account history determine the ‘User Reputation Score’. This helps identify genuine accounts and restrict accounts with poor reputation scores.
Enhancing Safety through the Online Identity Verification Process
Online interactions often define our personal and professional lives. In such a scenario, agencies must take responsibility for social media platforms to provide a safe environment must be balanced. The various methods of online identity verification process can help achieve this goal and keep social media a safe place.
Web identity verification methods such as digital self-verification can lower the risks of cyberbullying, fake accounts, and other malicious activities.
Keep Your Social Media Platform Safe
A robust online identity verification process can boost social media apps’ safety and maintain their platforms’ integrity. From biometric verification to blockchain technology, numerous methods are available to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent activities.
The right balance between security and user experience is the key to fostering a healthy online community. Social media platforms must adapt to the latest verification methods. This helps them stay one step ahead of cyber threats and ensure a secure digital space for all.
