TLS v1.2 Upgrade – What you Need to Know.

ExpertTexting uses HTTPS to securely exchange sensitive data such as credit cards/Paypal payments  processing and allowing API Access for integration purposes. To encrypt these communications, we use the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol.

TLS 1.2 is one of the most secure versions of SSL/TLS protocol that is designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery. ExpertTexting now requires TLS 1.2 in order to ensure the continuous security adhere to industry best practices.

What’s Required:

All API Customers must update their software, browser and hardware to support security protocol TLS v1.2.

Why do we need to make this change?

The PCI Security Council sets the rules on which technologies are acceptable for use in transmitting cardholder data. They have explicitly identified TLS 1.0 & TLS 1.1 as no longer being a strong form of encryption because they are vulnerable to many known attacks.

This is not an action ExpertTexting is taking alone. EVERY website that transmits or processes credit card data will be making this change. If you are using an insecure or unsupported browser or API client, you will find that all secure websites will stop working very soon.

From March 01  2018, the ExpertTexting API and it’s web portal will require TLS v1.2 in order to ensure the continuous security adherence to industry’s best practices.

Browser Support

Most browsers have supported TLS 1.2 for several years.

The following browsers DO NOT support TLS 1.2 and will no longer work.

• Google Chrome 29
• Firefox 26
• Internet Explorer 10
• Safari 8
• iOS 4
• Android 4

How do I upgrade my integration from TLS 1.0 to TLS 1.2

JAVA support

Version = JDK/JRE 7 Client                    (Yes, but support for TLS v1.2 must be enabled manually)
Version = JDK/JRE 7 Server & above   (Yes, TLS v1.2 is enabled by default)
Version = JDK/JRE 6 or below               (Not supported)

Open SSL support

Your Open SSL version must be 1.0.1 or higher.

.NET

• .NET 4.6: TLS 1.2 is used automatically. No changes are necessary.
• .NET 4.5: The SecurityProtocolType needs to be changed to Tls12 (using the SecurityProtocol Setter), add the following line above the first request.ServicePointManager.SecurityProtocol = SecurityProtocolType.Tls12
• .NET 4.0: TLS 1.2 is supported, but there’s no named SecurityProtocolType enumeration. Use (SecurityProtocolType)3072.
• .NET 3 and below: Must be upgraded to 4.5

PHP

TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 are supported since OpenSSL 1.0.1

Forcing TLS 1.1 and 1.2 are only supported since curl 7.3.4

Reference URL for CURL Options: https://curl.haxx.se/libcurl/c/CURLOPT_SSLVERSION.html

If you are using older versions of PHP or OPENSSL use following command to update packages.

yum update nss curl openssl

After the updates you should see that cURL is working with TLS greater than 1.0. Simple test code:

Ruby

Ruby uses the system openssl. OpenSSL v0.9.8 will no longer work, but later versions work without any changes required.

In-case you still need any support with the upgrade, Get in touch with our support team at sms.support@experttexting.com

Below are the countries where Sender ID is supported, We have also mentioned list of countries where Sender ID have to be Registered with Carriers / Networks. Few countries specifically requires some documents like Company formation or License copy. On the other hand, many of the countries do not require registration with their networks, so you can just login to Customer Area, Goto Send Message, and click Add Sender ID  and it’ll be instant.

Countries where SenderID is supported.

Countries Where SenderID is not supported.

With many new features being added to ExpertTexting, one of the latest addition is the REST API that allows other apps and platforms to interact with ExpertTexting. It’s a revolutionary addition that will help developers build custom applications and integrate systems with ExpertTexting.

ExpertTexting API exposes a set of RESTful endpoints that enable your application to send messages and GET information such as message status, query account balance, read unread message etc.

How to send OTP , Alerts using ShortCode

Sending OTP, Alerts, Notification is frequently required service.

Alerts / Notification campaigns are used to set a pre-defined template with dynamic variables which can later be used via Rest API. These variables are defined dynamically i.e. add “@{“ before your variable word and add “}” after it. For example: @{phonenumber}, @{number}, @{code} are all valid variables.

How to create it ?

That’s It, Just submit the details and after approval you will be able to use it,.

Each Campaign is provided with a campaign key which is private and unique for all campaigns and will be required as parameter for HTTP Rest Calls.

Upon creating alert/notification campaign, you will get an API URL which will have parameters for all the custom variables you defined in the message text. You will use this API to run this campaign.
For example: you entered the following text in the message of your campaign:

“Hello @{name}, your mobile verification code is @{code}”

The API URL will look like :
“https://www.experttexting.com/ExptRestApi/sms/json/campaign/alert?campaign_key={campaignkey}&to_number={to_number}&key1={name}&key2={code}

You will have to replace all the variables (words that begin and end with “{ }”) in the above URL with the actual data before accessing the URL.

Just call our HTTP Rest API and with required parameters and our Intelligent system does the rest.

Happy Texting 🙂

Keyword:

SMS Keywords are short words made of letters and/or numbers that can be sent to a shortcode in order to trigger a response. Keywords allow your customers or group members to join your group messaging contact list from their own phones.

By texting the specified keyword (for e.g. CRICKET) to the specified shortcode (for e.g. 66599), a mobile system can perform some type of action, defined by the company offering the keyword/shortcode. This may be as simple as sending a “Thanks for contacting us, we’ll be in touch” message back to the user, or beginning some kind of workflow process such as adding you to some subscriber list.

We, at ExpertTexting, are pleased to announce that ExpertTexting now supports keywords based marketing over shortcode for US.This service will be used by ExpertTexting’s Customers for marketing/alerting purposes only to their opt-in recipients either by using web form or directly subscription via opt-in to their campaign by sending text message.

Creating a Keyword:

You can create your own keyword by following the simple steps as shown in the screenshots:

Step 1:
From Dashboard, Under “Campaign Management” tab – click on “Keywords”

Step 2:

From Keyword screen, click on “Create Keyword”

Step 3:

Select a suitable unique keyword and click “Next”
Note: The first keyword that gets approved is free, the next keyword will be charged accordingly.

Step 4:

Fill in all the required details and check “I agree to terms and conditions above” and click “Submit”

Step 6:

You will be redirected to “Thank you” page and your keyword will be sent to Administrator for approval and it will be reviewed within 48 hours. To see your keyword’s status, click “Go To Main Screen”

Step 7:

On Keyword main screen, your keyword will appear with its current status.

Step 8:

After Verification by ET, your keyword will be approved if it meets all requirements. After which you can add contacts to the keyword group by clicking the appropriate icon in the “Action” column.

And that is it. You have successfully created a keyword that can be utilized in a campaign.

Campaign:

Campaigns are an effective way to build rich marketing lists as when you set up a comprehensive text message campaign, you can create messages that will automatically be sent based on subscriber actions. This functionality enables you to provide immediate customer service.

Campaigns work in a simple way just like 1.2.3:

1. Create a campaign based on a keyword and set automated response messages based on subscriber action.
2. Customers text your keyword to your shortcode number to join your list.
3. Customer receives an auto response when they join.

Creating a Campaign:

You can create your own campaign by following the simple steps as shown in the screenshots:

Step 1:
From Dashboard, Under “Campaign Management” tab – click on “Campaigns”

 Step 2:

From Campaign screen, click on “Add Campaign” and then choose appropriate campaign.

Alerts / Notification campaigns are used to set a Pre-defined template with dynamic variables which can later be used via Rest API.

Step 3:

Fill in all the required details and click “submit”

Step 4:

You will be redirected to “Thank you” page and your campaign will be sent to Administrator for approval and it will be reviewed within 48 hours. To see your campaign’s status, click “Go To Main Screen”

Step 5:

On Campaign main screen, your campaign will appear with its current status.

Step 6:

After sometime, your campaign will be approved if it meets all requirements.

And that is it. You have successfully created a campaign. Your campaign is now live.

How Does Keyword work ?

 Customers can interact with the Keyword by sending the keyword with helper text to the ExpertTexting designated shortcode: 66599* and in return, they will get the automated response set by the campaign’s maker.
* This short code is only limited to the US region.

Following are the ways that the customer can interact with the campaign:

• OPT IN

You need to ask your customer to send text message “JOIN <CampaignKeyword>” to 66599. This will join them in that specific campaign. Example (Text: JOIN BUY1GET2 to 66599)

The response they will get is what you have set in “Opt In” text while creating the keyword.

You can also manually add contacts to the campaign from keyword screen.

Upon adding, they will receive the “welcome” text that you have set while creating the keyword.

• OPT OUT

You need to ask your customer to send text message “STOP <CampaignKeyword>” to 66599. This will remove them from that specific campaign. Example (Text: STOP BUY1GET2 to 66599)

The response they will get is what you have set in “Opt Out” text while creating the keyword.

Customer can also send text message “STOP” to 66599. This will remove them from all campaigns at once.Example (Text: STOP to 66599)

• HELP

You need to ask your customer to send text message “HELP <CampaignKeyword>” to 66599. This will send them detail text regarding that campaign. Example (Text: HELP BUY1GET2 to 66599)

The response they will get is what you have set in “Help” text while creating the keyword.

Customer can also send text message “HELP” to 66599. This will send them detail text regarding ExpertTexting keyword service. Example (Text: HELP to 66599)

** Sender using ET Short Code Service for sending Messages to their Customer will be charged as per pricing mentioned. Customer replying back to Campaign or sending message to 66599 will be charged by their Carrier as per subscription plan(Message &data rates may apply).

If you have any further queries feel free to contact us at support@experttexting.com.