Abstract: A method for securing electronic transactions includes associating a mobile electronic device with a first user. A first computer system retrievably stores registration data relating to the first user, including a device identifier that is unique to the mobile electronic device. A security application that supports in-application push notifications is installed on the mobile electronic device. The first computer system sends a push notification to the mobile electronic device, the push notification prompting the first user to provide a confirmation reply via a user interface of the security application for activating the mobile electronic device as a security token. The mobile electronic device is activated as a security token for the first user in response to receiving at the first computer system, from the mobile electronic device, the confirmation reply from the first user.

Abstract: A first server receives a text message addressed to a first text destination and including authentication information The first server establishes a secure connection between the first server and a first mobile device associated with a first user, one of the first user and the first mobile device associated with the first text destination. The authentication information is then provided from the first server to the first mobile device via the secure connection.