3D Secure is a transaction protection measure that has become crucial for online merchants. This feature is enforced by major card companies and adds an additional layer of security.

3D Secure prompts an additional verification step in order to authenticate a transaction.

What is 3D Secure?

Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and other card companies have systems that support 3D Secure authentication. These supporting structures are known as the interoperability domain. It is meant to connect a transaction to the internet and merchant plug-ins. Merchant plug-ins are one of the things required for the merchant to implement in order for 3D Secure to work.

• Visa: Verified By Visa/Visa Secure
• American Express: American Express SafeKey
• Mastercard: SecureCode
• Discover: ProtectBuy
• JCB International: J/Secure
• EMV Co: EMV 3D Secure

The other two domains are the acquirer domain and the issuer domain. The acquirer refers to the merchant’s bank account and bank while the issuer is the payer’s card issuer.

How 3D Secure Works

The card issuer, or the issuer domain, works with the corresponding card protocol to secure a transaction. Using the internet and certain tools, the domains communicate with each other in real-time to authenticate a transaction.

At checkout, customers will input their card information to proceed with a transaction. The card issuer’s 3D Secure system takes the form of a pop-up window or an inline frame, which is set within the merchant’s website.

The 3D Secure system will ask the client to input a single-use code sent to a corresponding phone number or email to complete the transaction. Some merchants choose to require customers to create an account in order to complete checkout.

How Does 3D Secure Affect Customer Experience?

3D Secure is a quick authentication process that does not negatively impact user experience. It usually takes the form of a code verification sent to a phone number or email.

Original 3D Secure methods sent a client to another tab or a pop-up with an unrecognizable domain. Although these redirections are part of 3D Secure, they can be mistaken for fraudulent attempts to collect information.

3D Secure 2.0 is an updated version that makes the process more seamless. Customers are only required to go through an additional authentication if the system determines their transaction is risky. This is determined by the amount of information that is used to verify a transaction. This includes additional data like previous transactions.

Additionally, many 3D Secure systems have evolved to keep a customer within the merchant website rather than sent to another tab. This works well in apps that allow users to buy from within.

Advanced 3D Secure protocols are designed to cause the least amount of disruption possible. It also minimizes the chances of cart abandonment through fast processing.

How 3D Secure Helps Merchants

Security will always benefit merchants. 3D Secure reduces fraud and chargebacks by verifying transactions. Updated versions of 3D Secure allow for quicker verification and reduced chances of cart abandonment and customer dissatisfaction.

Implementing 3D Secure makes the most out of a fraud protection program. Additionally, card companies’ 3D Secure programs shift fraud liability from the merchant to themselves. This means that if a transaction that went through 3D Secure turns out to be fraudulent, then the card issuer will be responsible for the failure in authentication. This further protects merchants from fraudsters and prevents chargebacks.

How Can I Use 3D Secure for My Online Store?

Revitpay’s payment gateways support 3D Secure protocols. The gateway contacts corresponding directory servers in order to verify the card. Contact us today to enable 3D Secure on your eCommerce storefront.

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