What is 3D Secure and Why It Matters for Secure Online Payments

For businesses that accept online payments, customer trust is one of the core values. And trust is impossible without security.

 When a payer enters their card number, expiration date, and CVV code during a transaction, they expect this data to remain safe from fraudsters. That’s why this information must be well protected — because in the worst-case scenario, funds can be stolen within minutes.

To prevent unauthorized transactions, international payment systems introduced an additional layer of protection — the 3D Secure (3DS) technology.

In this article, we’ll explain how 3DS works, what benefits it offers to businesses and consumers, and how to enable this level of protection.

3D Secure (3D authentication or 3DS) is a security protocol that verifies the cardholder’s identity during online payment. Its main goal is to prevent fraud by ensuring the transaction is initiated by the legitimate card owner.

The term “3D Secure” refers to the "three domains" involved in the transaction process:

• Issuer (the bank that issued the card)
• Payment system (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
• Acquirer (the seller’s bank or payment provider)

1. The customer enters card details on the website.

2. They are automatically redirected to a secure page from their bank.

3. The customer confirms their identity using one of the following methods: SMS code, Push notification, Face ID, or fingerprint.

4. If verification is successful, the payment goes through, and the user returns to the website.

If confirmation fails or incorrect data is entered, the transaction is declined.

3DS is also known by branded names such as Visa Secure and Mastercard ID Check.

Visa uses its own 3DS service called Visa Secure, and here’s how it works:

1. The buyer selects a product or service and clicks “Pay.”

2. Visa’s server sends an authentication request to the issuer bank (via the ACS server).

3. The bank checks whether 3DS is enabled and prompts the cardholder for confirmation.

4. The results are stored in the transaction history server to combat fraud and process chargebacks.

For Customers:

• Protection against theft if card data is compromised
• Confidence in the safety of online payments

For Businesses:

• Reduced fraud risk
• Fewer chargebacks: after 3D authentication, the issuing bank becomes responsible for the transaction
• Protection of brand reputation
• Increased customer trust and higher conversion rates — when properly communicated

⚠️ Note: Too many steps at checkout can lower conversion rates. That’s why we recommend explaining the purpose of 3DS to your customers before payment — in the cart or checkout page.

For Cardholders:

In most cases, 3DS is activated automatically. If not, you can enable it in your banking app or by contacting your bank.

For Businesses:

Reach out to your payment provider. At Tranzzo, for example, we offer 3DS to almost every merchant. If the technology isn’t active for your account, we’ll enable it easily upon request.

There are exceptions when a payment may go through without confirmation:

• Subscriptions (recurring payments): additional authentication is only required during the first payment.
• Merchant-Initiated Transactions: automatic charges without user involvement (e.g., saved cards).

Tranzzo provides merchants with all the tools needed for secure online payments. We support 3D Secure, assist with setup, and consult on all payment security matters.

👉 Contact us if you want to enable 3DS on your website, reduce fraudulent transactions, and build customer trust.