> Markdown version of [/videos/1043-no-more-post-its-boost-your-login-security-with-apis](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1043-no-more-post-its-boost-your-login-security-with-apis). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# No More Post-its: Boost your login security with APIs

Are your users still relying on sticky notes for security? Learn how to replace vulnerable passwords with powerful API integrations like silent authentication and facial liveness detection.

- **Speakers:** [Alvaro Navarro](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@alvaro-navarro)
- **Event:** World Congress 2024
- **Published:** August 20, 2024
- **Duration:** 16:05
- **URL:** https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1043-no-more-post-its-boost-your-login-security-with-apis

## Summary

Although traditional passwords remain the default "something you know" authentication layer, they are inherently vulnerable to data leaks and poor user habits, such as relying on easily guessed patterns or sticky notes. To combat the rising tide of phishing and fraud, modern developers must transition toward robust multi-factor authentication (MFA) architectures. Integrating external tools at the point of account creation, such as checking hashes against the *Have I Been Pwned* API, provides an immediate first line of defense by warning users about compromised credentials.

Moving beyond passwords involves proving identity through "something you have" and "something you are." Relying on One-Time Passwords (OTPs) alone requires additional safety checks to remain secure; developers should assess phone number reachability and roaming status before issuing SMS texts. Advanced solutions like a SIM Swap API can identify recent hardware changes to prevent malicious account takeovers via hijacked phone numbers. For an even more frictionless user experience, applications can bypass SMS entirely by performing silent authentication over a user's mobile data, verifying the device directly with the network operator.

To build a truly resilient security posture, developers can implement APIs that validate "something you are" and "somewhere you are." Incorporating facial liveness detection and selfie-matching via tools like Amazon Rekognition confirms physical identity while preventing spoofed images. Furthermore, querying a device's physical location against suspected fraudulent activities—such as anomalous ATM access—effectively introduces a geographical verification layer. Layering these interconnected APIs eliminates single points of failure, ensuring scalable and secure user access without over-relying on weak legacy mechanisms.

**Keywords:** multi-factor authentication, user identity verification, have i been pwned API, OTP implementation, SIM swap attack prevention, number insight API, biometric authentication, amazon rekognition, facial liveness detection, device location API, SMS verification channels, silent mobile authentication, cybersecurity practices, passwordless architectures

## Chapters

1. **Understanding the rising tide of phishing and data breaches** (00:16) — How cyber attacks and data leaks leave static credentials vulnerable to fraud.
1. **Why traditional passwords fail modern application security needs** (01:36) — Forcing complex password patterns leads to poor user habits and predictable guessing.
1. **Checking compromised security credentials using a REST API** (04:33) — Checking a portion of a password hash prevents users from utilizing leaked credentials.
1. **Implementing two-factor authentication workflows with one-time passwords** (05:48) — Delivering one-time passwords across multiple communication channels ensures stronger proof of user identity.
1. **Validating user phone numbers prior to sending access codes** (07:52) — Checking phone number reachability and roaming state prevents sending authentication codes to unreachable devices.
1. **Preventing multifactor bypass through SIM swap detection mechanisms** (08:40) — Detecting recent SIM card changes stops malicious actors from intercepting SMS verification codes.
1. **Authenticating user sessions using silent network verification** (10:32) — Telecom network operators validate physical devices via mobile data token exchanges without explicit user input.
1. **Integrating biometric face liveness for physical identity checks** (12:15) — Comparing real-time facial scans against stored profile images provides robust biometric identity validation.
1. **Confirming user presence utilizing device location APIs** (13:18) — Retrieving device latitude and longitude coordinates verifies user geographic location during suspicious transaction attempts.
1. **Reviewing modern authentication workflows and telecom integrations** (14:33) — Combining biometric, location, and telecom checks protects application user logins against systemic identity fraud.

## Related Moments

- [Securing authentication systems against SIM swapping attacks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1899-teaching-apis-beyond-the-docs-alex-goldman) (from "Teaching APIs Beyond the Docs - Alex Goldman")
- [Overcoming barriers to passwordless authentication adoption](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100322-mfa-game-over-watch-your-protection-collapse-live) (from "MFA? Game over! Watch your protection collapse – live")
- [Layering security mechanisms with multi-factor authentication factors](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/714-going-beyond-passwords-the-future-of-user-authentication) (from "Going Beyond Passwords: The Future of User Authentication")
- [The vulnerability of two-factor authentication to live phishing attacks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1216-passwordless-web-1-5) (from "Passwordless Web 1.5")
- [Defensive strategies against AI-driven social engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/770-skynet-wants-your-passwords-the-role-of-ai-in-automating-social-engineering) (from "Skynet wants your Passwords! The Role of AI in Automating Social Engineering")
- [Replacing web passwords with native carrier network identity](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1728-opening-the-mobile-space-with-camara-s-network-apis-camara-project) (from "Opening the Mobile Space with CAMARA’s Network APIs - CAMARA Project")

## Related Articles

- [The top 200 passwords of 2024 can be cracked in less than a second](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/502-the-top-200-passwords-of-2024-can-be-cracked-in-less-than-a-second)
- [Understanding and Mitigating Common Web Vulnerabilities](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/565-understanding-and-mitigating-common-web-vulnerabilities)
- [Walking Into The Era of Supply Chain Risks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/106-walking-into-the-era-of-supply-chain-risks)
- [Dev Digest 138 - Are you secure about this?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/486-dev-digest-138-are-you-secure-about-this)

## Related Jobs

- [Principal Software Engineer, Identity](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1469181-principal-software-engineer-identity) at **GitHub**
- [Staff Engineer - Offensive Security](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1226927-staff-engineer-offensive-security) at **Twilio**
- [Security Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1574416-security-engineer) at **Twilio**
- [Engineer, Offensive Security Organization](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1992296-engineer-offensive-security-organization) at **Twilio**
- [Staff Engineer, Security Engineering Partners](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1187268-staff-engineer-security-engineering-partners) at **Twilio**
- [Senior Security Engineer, Incident Response](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1347114-senior-security-engineer-incident-response) at **Twilio**