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Modulr glossary

3D Secure (3DS)

3D Secure (3DS) is a security protocol designed to add an additional layer of authentication for online credit and debit card transactions. It helps prevent fraud by allowing the card issuer to challenge the cardholder to verify their identity before a payment is authorised. An access control server (ACS) operates within the card issuer's domain, though often outsourced to a third party, to handle the authentication process for 3DS and interacts with the cardholder's browser or mobile app during the authentication phase of a 3DS transaction.

Applications

E-commerce:

Reduces fraud in online card payments by verifying the cardholder's identity

Banking and fintech:

Helps issuers and payment providers comply with Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements.

Advantages

  • Enhanced security: Reduces unauthorised transactions by verifying that the genuine account holder is authorising the payment
  • Fraud prevention: Helps reduce chargebacks related to fraud.

Challenges

  • User Experience: Additional authentication steps can cause friction and increase checkout abandonment
  • Implementation complexity: Requires integration with card schemes and issuer systems.

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