What is 3DS

3DS (Three-Domain Secure) is a security protocol used in online payments to help protect against fraud and verify that the person making the purchase is the actual cardholder.

When you make a payment online and see a pop-up or page asking you to confirm your identity (for example, by entering a code sent to your phone, using your banking app, or providing biometric verification), that's 3DS at work.

The name “Three-Domain Secure” comes from the three parties involved in making the process secure:

1. The merchant's domain (the online store you're buying from).
2. The card network's domain (like Visa, Mastercard, etc.).
3. The issuing bank's domain (the bank that gave you your credit or debit card).

Why 3DS Matters

• Fraud Prevention: Adds an extra layer of protection against stolen card details being used online.
• Trust: Gives merchants and customers more confidence in online transactions.
• Compliance: In many regions, like Europe under PSD2, 3DS is required for Strong Customer Authentication. Other regions, like Australia, heavily regulate 3DS.