How to Ensure Your SMS Carrier Isn’t the Weakest Link in Your Security Chain

For businesses and users alike, there has recently been a big security shift to two-factor authentication, and many companies are leaning on mobile devices to provide authentication codes in a timely manner for users.

The way it works is pretty simply. Once customers login using their usernames and passwords, they have to then authenticate their entry a second time by entering a code sent to their mobile device.

Companies all around the globe also rely on SMS for redundancy in communication when internet isn’t available, to ensure their communications are never disrupted.

With a lot of services relying on this method of authentication and redundancy, there has never been more pressure on you mobile accounts to stay secure. It’s important to make sure your SMS carrier isn’t the weakest link in your security chain by choosing a secure SMS gateway solution.

Why rely on SMS in the first place? Your information is valuable.

The number one method of communication is email—personal and business users alike across the web use it to communicate, as well as to authenticate accounts and send sensitive information.
This infographic from Krebson Security shows just how valuable your email account can be when hacked—pretty much all of your accounts are connected to your email, and it can be a little scary to realize what someone could access there:

Krebson also goes into detail about how valuable these account can be to a hacker:

“One prominent credential seller in the underground peddles iTunes accounts for $8, and Fedex.com, Continental.com and United.com accounts for USD $6. Groupon.com accounts fetch $5, while $4 buys hacked credentials at registrar and hosting provider Godaddy.com, as well as wireless providers Att.com, Sprint.com, Verizonwireless.com, and Tmobile.com. Active accounts at Facebook and Twitter retail for just $2.50 a piece.”

In addition to the monetary value, hackers are also disrupting businesses with security breaches, account turnovers and major customer data thefts. If your internet security fails, you’re vulnerable to communication failure as well as to a security breach.

SMS provides a secure and reliable alternative to email, while also complementing the easy use of email. Without SMS, you’re flying solo with email—every service you use probably requires an email address, and all security precautions can become undone if someone unwanted gets access.

Keep the second link in your chain secure—work with the right SMS software and hardware.

Hackers can get a hold of your passwords easily through your mobile provider without the right security precautions.

Reliance on a secure SMS gateway ensures your communications stay up and running through SMS, even when internet is down. The right SMS gateway will keep your information secure through the two-factor authentication process and support your business in the event of an internet disruption.

Naturally, both users and businesses want their methods of communication to be calm and dependable.
SMSEagle hardware SMS gateways send SMS messages directly to 3G network without using Internet connection. The gateway will work even if Internet connection fails. The SMSEagle gateway, once purchased, is located in your company premises. These assures you control over security and confidentiality of SMS communication. No matter the temperature or humidity conditions the hardware sticks with you.

If you care about quality and security, you need a reliable SMS gateway solution to ensure that your mobile carrier isn’t the weakest link in your security chain.

SMSEagle Announces Hardware SMS Gateway Compatibility With All Major 3G Networks Worldwide

Poznan, Poland (July 05, 2016) – SMSEagle, a leading provider of SMS gateway technology, today announced a new suite of hardware, the NXS-9750-3G and the NXS 9700-3G, compatible with almost any 3G network in the world.

SMS messages are sent directly from the gateway to the 3G network. This shortens the critical path in comparison to online SMS services, and allows connectivity even in an internet failure.

The NXS-9750 is equipped with several new features, including those of the NXS-9700, that provide network flexibility, reliability and security for network administrators and software developers:

  • Two 3G Modems – each with full bandwidth coverage, providing information technology (IT) professionals with worldwide compatibility.
  • The latest Linux kernel – for powerful security and reliability.
  • Failover functions – used in conjunction with two SIM cards. Failover operational mode assumes functions of a system modem by secondary modem.

The NXS-9700 comes standard with several features that support a flexible, reliable and environment for IT professionals:

  • 3G Modem – with full bandwidth coverage, providing compatibility with almost any 3G network
  • High-availability cluster feature – available with two or more devices, integrating with over twenty NMS & Authorization systems such as Nagios, Zabbix, PRTG, Solarwinds, RSA and more, making integration with numerous IT environments easy.
  • HTTP API – allows software developers to seamlessly integrate SMS capability into their external systems.
  • Email to SMS – allows conversion of email messages into SMS texts.

The devices are easily configured with intuitive GUI and minimal user interaction and ready-to-use plugins for network monitoring systems. The gateway can be integrated with over 18 different NMS systems.

Our new products are equipped with the strength and performance efficiency to support everyday operations,” SMSEagle Product Manager Radosław Janowski said. “Their extensive network compatibility and modem flexibility establishes the NXS-9750 as the go-to hardware SMS gateway solution for IT professionals, worldwide.”

About SMSEagle

SMSEagle is a leading provider of SMS gateway hardware worldwide. The device is a EU-originated product for automatic sending & receiving of SMS messages, allowing you to send SMS alerts coming from network monitoring systems, SMS tokens from authentication systems, convert email to SMS messages, send and receive SMS texts using HTTP API.

For more information, visit https://www.smseagle.eu/

Nowe urządzenie SMSEagle NXS-9750 3G

Poznań, Polska, Marzec 8 2016 – SMSEagle prezentuje nową wersję sprzętowej bramki SMS NXS-9750-3G. Nowy produkt oferuje lepszą wydajność i dwa razy większą przepustowość w codziennych zastosowaniach niż jego poprzednik. Nowe urządzenie jest odpowiedzią na potrzeby i oczekiwania naszych klientów.

SMSEagle NXS-9750 jest wyposażony w nie jeden, lecz dwa modemy 3G, każdy z pełnym pokryciem pasma, dzięki czemu jest kompatybilny z niemal każdą siecią 3G na świecie. Urządzenie korzysta z najnowszego jądra Linux, gwarantując bezpieczeństwo i niezawodność na najwyższym poziomie. Nowy NXS-9750 posiada również nowe funkcje przełączania awaryjnego dla modemów 3G (w przypadku korzystania z dwóch kart SIM). Tryb pracy Failover umożliwia przejęcie funkcji modemu głównego przez modem wtórny gdy modem podstawowy staje się niedostępny w przypadku awarii lub zaplanowanych konserwacji. Nowy SMSEagle NXS-9750 oferuje również możliwość pracy w klastrze (w przypadku posiadania dwóch lub więcej urządzeń).

„Chcemy aby nasze sprzętowe bramki SMS były wiodącym rozwiązaniem używanym przez specjalistów IT na całym świecie.” Mówi Product Manager SMSEagle Radosław Janowski.

Więcej informacji można znaleźć na stronie produktu SMSEagle NXS-9750

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Sprzętowa bramka SMS SMSEagle to polski produkt do automatycznego wysyłania i odbioru wiadomości SMS. SMSEagle umożliwia wysyłanie powiadomień SMS pochodzących z systemów monitorowania sieci (NMS), tokeny SMS dla systemów uwierzytelniania, konwersję email do wiadomości SMS. Urządzenie jest również wyposażone w rozbudowane HTTP API co pozwala na łatwą integrację z dowolnym oprogramowaniem zewnętrznym. Bramka jest przeznaczona dla profesjonalistów, którzy stawiają na niezawodność i łatwą integrację z istniejącymi systemami IT. Wiadomości SMS wysyłane są bezpośrednio do sieci 3G. To skraca ścieżkę krytyczną (w porównaniu do korzystania z usług SMS on-line), a także umożliwia wysyłanie wiadomości, nawet gdy połączenie internetowe jest uszkodzone. Antena zewnętrzna poprawia siłę sygnału w obszarach o ograniczonym zasięgu sieci 3G (np. serwerownie, centra danych). Wewnętrzny agent SNMP pozwala na monitorowanie wydajności urządzenia przy użyciu wskaźników SNMP.