A Dive into USSD
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD): A Comprehensive Guide with Security Considerations Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) is a communication protocol that facilitates real-time text-based interaction between a mobile phone and an application on the network. USSD is especially prevalent in fintech, enabling financial transactions, mobile banking, and other services without requiring internet connectivity. However, improper implementation of USSD, particularly in authentication, can introduce security risks. This article explores USSD’s benefits, limitations, security concerns, and best practices in fintech. Understanding USSD Technology USSD operates over GSM networks, using session-based communication. Users interact with services by dialing short codes (e.g., *123#) and navigating menu options, making it ideal for real-time applications. Core Components of USSD Services: USSD Gateway: Handles requests and responses between mobile devices and appl...