Security of identity is closely related to verification. In the world of digital identity, examples of identity verification include WhatsApp verification, email verification, and mobile phone number verification. Knowing how to verify an email prevents unauthorized access and protects your personal information from cyber threats, such as phishing and deepfake usage.
A secure email verification process ensures that only the rightful owner can access the account, reducing the risk of fraud, and increasing user trust in digital services. Read this article to learn about how to verify your email.
Overview of Email Verification
Email verification is a process used to ensure that the email address provided by the user is correct and active. The method of email verification is almost the same for all applications and platforms. The difference lies in the type of code sent, whether in the form of a code or a link. The function of email verification is to confirm that users have access to that email address.
Comprehensive and Easy-to-Understand Email Verification Method
The email verification process is an important step in ensuring account security and validity. Email verification helps reduce the risk of misuse, such as creating fake accounts or unauthorized access.
Email verification usually involves a few simple steps:
1. Registration or Verification Request
The email verification process starts when the user enters their email address during account registration or when making settings changes that require verification.
- Account Registration: When creating a new account on a platform, users are usually asked to enter their email address as part of the registration information. Then, a verification email will be sent to the email address to activate the account.
- Settings Changes: If the user changes important account settings, such as changing contact information or activating additional security features, email verification is required to confirm the user's identity.
2. Sending Verification Email
After the user enters their email address, the system automatically sends a verification email to that address. This email contains further instructions to complete the verification process. Details include:
- Verification Link: The verification email will contain a link that the user must click. This link directs the user to a verification page on the website or application.
- Verification Code: Some emails may also contain a unique verification code that the user must enter in the application or website to confirm the email address.
3. User Action
After receiving the verification email, the user must take action to complete the verification process:
- Clicking the Verification Link: The user opens the email, finds the verification link, and clicks it. The user will be directed to the confirmation page.
- Entering the Verification Code: If the email contains a code, the user must enter the code in the provided space on the website or application to complete the verification.
4. Confirmation
The final step in this process is confirmation from the system:
- Account Activation: After the user clicks the link or correctly enters the code, the system will verify the authenticity of the action. The user's account can be fully activated.
- Success Notification: The user will usually receive a notification, either via email or within the application, stating that email verification was successful and their account is ready to use.
Even though you already know how to verify your email, you should also know about biometric verification. This verification method uses a person's biological identity, physical characteristics, or behavior, such as fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, or movements. Here's the process:
1. Entering Characteristic Data
In this verification, the system will compare the user's biometric data with the scan results stored in the official population data held by the government.
2. Biometric Data Authentication
Then, the scanned physical characteristics will be mapped to the user's username/ID, which will be used to make a decision after the user is authenticated. Authentication is the process of proving or validating the user's identity.
3. Authorization
After successful authentication, the final process is authorization, which is the process of granting the user who has been correctly validated the power to manage the account.
By following the above steps, you can ensure that your email verification process is secure and helps protect against various cyber threats.
Things to Avoid During Email Verification
Although the email verification method seems easy and quick, there are some mistakes to avoid during the email verification process:
1. Ignoring Verification Emails
Verification emails usually arrive immediately after the user requests verification. Click the link or enter the verification code immediately to activate the account.
2. Clicking Suspicious Links
Always make sure that the verification link comes from the application you just registered for. Avoid clicking on links from unclear sources to prevent phishing crimes. Phishing emails containing links are a way for scammers to access your personal data.
3. Sharing Links or Codes with Others
Never share verification links or codes during the email verification process with anyone. These links or codes are confidential and only you should enter them into the application.
Email verification is a crucial tool in preventing online fraud. According to surveys, about 60% of all online accounts created for fraud purposes can be prevented with email verification implementation.
4. Using Inactive Email Addresses
Always use an active and accessible email address for account registration. Entering an inactive address means you will not receive the verification code.
5. Ignoring Email Information
When there are recent updates from emails, always pay attention to any updated information. Always update the email information on your account if there are changes to ensure you can still receive important notifications.
Why is Email Verification Important?
1. Account Security
Email verification helps prevent unauthorized access to accounts. By entering an email address during registration, users agree that verification codes can be sent to that address and only the email owner can activate the account.
2. Reducing Spam
Email verification reduces the number of fake accounts and spam. Previously, when registering an application, users could enter random emails. However, this can no longer be done because email verification is needed to ensure that the application registration is not used for malicious activities or fraud.
3. User Trust
When users know that the system verifies registered emails, they feel safer and trust the service more. Users who know how to verify email can ensure they are allowed to open accounts and access applications.
4. Preventing Deepfake
Deepfake is a technology that uses artificial intelligence to create fake videos or audio that resemble real people. Deepfake crimes generally attack the verification process in the form of Presentation Attacks and Injection Attacks with the aim of fraud and information manipulation.
5. Monitoring Suspicious Activity
The verification system can be used to identify and block suspicious activity, such as login attempts from unusual locations. Additionally, email verification helps platforms reduce the number of fake accounts and spam activities.
Deepfake fraud originates from the use of deepfake, which is fake photos, voices, or videos reproduced from real faces or voices. VIDA data shows that 90% of business professionals do not know how to protect their companies from deepfake. In fact, from 2022 to 2023, deepfake fraud increased tenfold in Southeast Asia due to the increasing availability of deepfake software.
These are the email verification methods to strengthen identity. Besides email, you can also use biometric verification to strengthen the security layer.
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