Online Payments with 3D Secure Authentication | Visa

Visa Secure with EMV® 3-D Secure Authentication

Next generation authentication to make global eCommerce secure in real time.

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Visa Secure with EMV 3-D Secure Authentication

Visa pioneered the original 3-D Secure authentication protocol more than 15 years ago to protect eCommerce transactions by providing an additional layer of identity verification before authorisation. 3-D Secure (3DS) enables the exchange of data between the merchant, card issuer and, when necessary, the consumer, to validate that the transaction is being initiated by the rightful owner of the account. For the consumer, the 3-D secure authentication may involve entering a password, responding to a text message or utilising biometric authentication to confirm the purchase. This information is then shared securely between the merchant, card issuer and consumer to validate that the transaction is being initiated by the rightful owner of the account.

A man using his smartphone to access the 3-D Secure authentication protocol

The acceleration of eCommerce

eCommerce continues to accelerate worldwide with online shopping becoming the preferred way to shop for many consumers. This growth in digital commerce requires businesses to prevent card-not-present fraud and ensure good transactions are seamlessly approved. With the implementation of 3DS secure authentication, businesses can effectively mitigate these risks. By verifying the identity of the cardholder through additional authentication steps, 3DS helps prevent unauthorised transactions and protects both businesses and consumers. This added layer of security not only safeguards transactions but also fosters trust and confidence in the online shopping experience.

A thief sitting in front of a laptop, symbolising the increased security provided by 3DS authentication

Addressing today’s complex security needs

Visa worked with other payment brands to develop the next generation of the protocol – EMV 3-D Secure. Visa Secure is Visa’s global EMV 3-D Secure programme that makes authentication simple, lowers friction for consumers and helps prevent card-not-present fraud. It does this by monitoring and assesing transaction data in real-time, leveraging the power of 3D Secure credit card verification to swiftly detect and prevent fraudulent avtivity before it can impact consumers or businesses.

Benefits

A smiling woman sitting at her laptop, using Visa's 3DS payment solution

Optimal customer experience

Supports different payment channels, delivering a unified web and mobile experience.

A hand holding a smartphone used for 3DS authentication

More approvals and less fraud

Delivers an enhanced data exchange between merchants and issuers to help improve authorisation decisioning and fraud detection.

A smartphone displaying a shopping cart, symbolising the improved security provided by the 3DS authentication method

Flexible UX and more control

Allows for better integration of the authentication process into the merchant’s shopping experience.

Satisfies regional regulations

Supports strong customer authentication for issuers, acquirers, payment service providers in regulated markets.

Get the implementation guide for acquirers

Guide includes the EMV 3-D Secure authentication processing flows, how to get started, programme rules, and more. If you do not have a Visa Online account, speak to your acquirer or your Visa account executive.

Access Visa Online

Reduces friction

Enables a collaborative data exchange between merchants and issuers that enhances risk-based authentication to improve authorisation decisioning and fraud detection.

Optimal customer experience

Delivers a simple and secure authentication experience for the cardholder if the transaction is deemed high risk.

Flexible device support

Supports secure payments for card-not-present purchases across desktop, mobile or other digital services.

Case study: Powering e-commerce with risk-based authentication

A Canadian financial institution had been using user IDs and passwords to verify customer identity during online checkout. Due to the friction caused by this authentication method, customers were abandoning transactions and abandoning sales.

Download authentication case study

Case study: Enhancing the customer experience and driving e-commerce growth with Visa Secure

A bank in the Middle East had been using continuous one-time password challenges to authenticate customers during card-not-present transactions. This strategy led to long checkout times, abandoned transactions and friction leading to customer complaints.

Download e-commerce growth case study