Fake Accounts Flood Social Media as SMS Verification Fails

A major defense against online fake accounts is easily broken. New research shows SMS verification can be bypassed for just pennies. This finding exposes a critical weakness in platform security worldwide.The study comes from the University of Cambridge. Researchers analyzed services that sell disposable phone numbers. According to Reuters, these numbers are used to create fraudulent social media accounts cheaply.

Disposable Numbers Sold for Less Than 30 Cents

Researchers gathered data from four major SMS activation services. They tracked prices for a full year. The results show how affordable fake account creation has become.A U.S. phone number for verification often costs 20 to 30 cents. Numbers from the UK, Russia, and Indonesia can be under 10 cents. This low cost removes a significant barrier for bad actors.Prices vary dramatically by country and platform. Japanese numbers are among the most expensive at around $5 each. Australian numbers cost about $3. Tighter regulations in these countries drive prices higher.

Platform Security Shows Glaring Inconsistencies

The cost to bypass security depends heavily on the target platform. Getting a U.S. number for X costs just 8 cents. The same number for WhatsApp costs nearly $3.This price gap suggests uneven security measures. Researchers noted X appears “quite lax” in its verification. Messaging apps like WhatsApp seem to have more robust checks in place.The ease of bypassing SMS verification has broad implications. It fuels disinformation campaigns and spam. It also undermines trust in digital communication and platform safety.

World Leaders Converge in Switzerland for Critical Ukraine Peace Summit

The widespread availability of cheap SMS verification bypasses poses a direct threat to online integrity. This market makes large-scale fake account operations simple and affordable. Combating disinformation requires moving beyond this fragile defense.

Dropping this nugget your way-

Q1: How do these SMS activation services work?

They operate as online marketplaces. Users can purchase a temporary, virtual phone number for a short period. This number receives the SMS verification code needed to create an account on another platform.

Q2: Which platforms are most vulnerable to this bypass?

Social media platforms like X appear highly vulnerable based on low number costs. The research indicated prices for X verification were among the cheapest. Platforms with stricter checks, like some messaging apps, command higher prices for numbers.

Q3: Is my personal account at risk from this?

The primary risk is an increase in fake accounts, bots, and scammers on platforms. This can lead to more spam, targeted disinformation, and fraudulent interactions. It erodes the overall health of online spaces.

Q4: What can platforms do to fix this vulnerability?

Experts suggest platforms need more layered security. Relying solely on SMS verification is insufficient. Solutions include behavioral analysis, device fingerprinting, and alternative multi-factor authentication methods.

Q5: Why are some phone numbers more expensive than others?

Cost correlates with regulation and SIM card availability. Countries with strict rules on SIM card purchases, like Japan, have fewer numbers available, raising the price. Where numbers are plentiful and rules lax, prices plummet.