Can we please add SMS verification to our accounts?

[reality_check]

I don't like the authenticators. I've heard too many stories about people losing their phones/devices and not having access to their account.

But, there are so many accounts/passwords/security questions now a days that I feel like I'm losing track of everything. I mean, let's take a look at a list of the average person's regular access to online accounts. Assuming this person is using unique security questions and passwords, they will have...

-personal email (e.g. gmail)
-work/student email
-online banking account
-paypal account
-steam account
-mog station account
-some other gaming account (blizzard?)
-federal revenue agency account
-0-5+ "social" accounts (facebook, twitter, instagram, plenty of fish blah blah...)
-netflix account
-PSN/Xbox live account
-Dropbox account
-Amazing account
-0-5+ various amenity accounts (e.g. telusmobility, bchydro)
-iTunes account

I wouldn't be surprised to see some people navigating 20+ accounts/passwords/security questions now a days online.

It would be really great if we could link our SE account to an SMS mobile number to enhance security while having our SE account linked to the same verification system as all of our other online accounts. Please?

[Umo]

I've heard too many stories about people losing their phones/devices and not having access to their account.

It would be really great if we could link our SE account to an SMS mobile number

Errr... Huh!?
Anyways, there's already a password IIRC you can find @ Mog Station to unlink your authenticator. Just check it out, write it down and keep it at a safe place. It's really that simple.

[SavageWolf]

Errr... Huh!?
Anyways, there's already a password IIRC you can find @ Mog Station to unlink your authenticator. Just check it out, write it down and keep it at a safe place. It's really that simple.

Thank you for saying what I came here to say.

Clearly the TC needs a "reality_check" of his own.

[reality_check]

Errr... Huh!?
Anyways, there's already a password IIRC you can find @ Mog Station to unlink your authenticator. Just check it out, write it down and keep it at a safe place. It's really that simple.

You don't understand how SMS verification works.

You just read the first two sentences of my post.

Right now, authenticator is the only way to "protect" your account. But, when you use it you're required to enter a new password each time you log in. It's annoying and a hassle.

SMS verification lets you link your account to a mobile number. If someone tries to change the account password or information, you get a text message notification. Or, if you forget your password you can have a new code texted to you without having to answer a security question.

Long story short for those of you who just like to read the first two sentences and criticize a post:

SMS verification replaces security questions in the event that someone does get your password or account information, or you wish to change your account password.

[Nekodar]

So, what do you think it would cost to have SMS verification as an option...

And don't try to say it wouldn't, or shouldn't, cost anything...

[kidvideo]

Too much security as is. I feel like SE's personal captcha solver.

I never had to jump through this many hoops to play ME3 multiplayer on the PS3.

I vote no.

[Evtrai]

So, what do you think it would cost to have SMS verification as an option...

And don't try to say it wouldn't, or shouldn't, cost anything...

Well, I recently played Diablo III and thought it was cool to have sms authenticator and also the sms backup thing in case you forget your PW or loose your security token, there was no aditional cost in it, and it's international, I'm from nor South america and the option is there, I kinda wish SE launcher din't ask for login info, every single time, there's an option to only get it asked once every 30 days for both login info or security token since your current PC is already registered, it's a bit of a chore inputting the info over and over, and so it is if you accidentally update your phone and your info is lost, is where sms comes in handy without the need to contact a GM, it's the only thing I thought was cool about battlenet.

[Myrhn]

So you had heard a lot of stories of ppl loosing their phone and wont be able to log in but you want a SMS verification that if you loss your phone the other person practically will have accest to everything.

[reality_check]

So you had heard a lot of stories of ppl loosing their phone and wont be able to log in but you want a SMS verification that if you loss your phone the other person practically will have accest to everything.

If you lose your phone and you have an authenticator you can't log onto your account at all, unless there is an option to unlink your authenticator. I haven't looked into it but people claim there is.

Let's use your scenario though:

Someone steals my phone, they want to now steal my mogstation account linked to my phone.

-They would have to know my password to unlock the phone/a print of my thumb if I'm a newer device.
-They would have to know my email linked to my mog station account.
-They would have to do all this before I can get to my wireless provider and have them disactivate the SIM card and transfer it to a new device.

Much tighter security.

[reality_check]

Too much security as is. I feel like SE's personal captcha solver.

I never had to jump through this many hoops to play ME3 multiplayer on the PS3.

I vote no.

SMS security actually means less hoops to jump through because your personal phone is a much more secure device than security questions. There's a reason why banking agencies, public email providers, paypal and other gaming companies have moved to SMS verification.