Glossary

5 terms covering SMS verification, privacy, crypto, telecom, and virtual phone numbers. Updated as the field evolves.

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2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)

An authentication scheme requiring two independent factors of proof, typically a password plus a second factor such as a phone, app, or hardware token.

O

OTP (One-Time Password)

A short, single-use password generated for a single authentication attempt, typically 4 to 8 digits, used as a second factor or out-of-band confirmation.

S

SMS (Short Message Service)

A 1980s-era messaging protocol that delivers short text messages of up to 160 characters between mobile phones across cellular and signaling networks.

V

Virtual phone number

A phone number not tied to a specific physical SIM card or copper line, hosted in a software platform and routed over the internet to any chosen endpoint.

VoIP (Voice over IP)

A family of technologies that carry voice calls and increasingly SMS over IP networks instead of traditional circuit-switched telephone networks.