SECURITY IN A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

• US 20100255813A1
• Filed: 07/07/2008
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
• Original Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
• Inventors: Belrose, Caroline, Bone, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US12/667,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20100255813A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/48 using secure binding, e.g. securely binding identity modules to devices, services or applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method of controlling a telecommunications terminal (1, 11, 13) requiring an authorised input to perform at least one operation, and including a locking function that locks said at least one operation of the telecommunications terminal. The method comprises selectively transmitting to the telecommunications terminal an unlocking application, receiving the unlocking application at the telecommunications terminal and running the unlocking application to enable said at least one locked operation. The operation may be the full use of the terminal with a selected subscriber identity module. In addition, and preferably in combination, a method and system for a telecommunications terminal to securely receive a message in which the telecommunications terminal has a first environment for running an operating system, and a second environment adapted to be substantially secure against third party tampering. The telecommunications terminal is adapted to receive a message and locate a least part of said message in said second environment.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a telecommunications terminal requiring an authorised input to perform at least one operation, and including a locking function that locks said at least one operation of the telecommunications terminal, the method comprising selectively transmitting to the telecommunications terminal an unlocking application, receiving the unlocking application at the telecommunications terminal and running the unlocking application to enable said at least one locked operation.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one locked operation includes full use of the terminal with a selected subscriber identity module for authenticating the telecommunications terminal with a mobile or cellular telecommunications network.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said telecommunications terminal includes a first environment for running a main operating system, and a second environment that is more secure than the first environment and is adapted to store and run the unlocking application, said telecommunications terminal, on receipt of the unlocking application, locating said unlocking application in said second environment.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said unlocking application is received by the telecommunications terminal in a message, the message including an authentication token, the method including a step of checking the validity of the authentication token before running the unlocking application.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the authentication token comprises a digital signature.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said message includes a digital certificate containing the key to be used to verify the digital signature, the telecommunications terminal verifying the certificate and checking the validity of the certificate before running the unlocking application.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking application is transmitted in encrypted form and is decrypted by the terminal after receipt.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein running the unlocking application to enable said at least one locked operation includes the unlocking application processing a valid unlock code.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said telecommunications terminal includes a user interface, the telecommunications terminal receiving said unlock code via said user interface.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein said unlock code is received by the telecommunications terminal together with the unlocking application.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein said unlock code is encrypted, said telecommunications terminal decrypting said unlock code for processing by the unlocking application.

12. A method according to claim 1, including an end step of the telecommunications terminal deleting or disabling the unlocking application from the telecommunications terminal for example once the unlocking application has enabled said at least one locked operation.

13. A system for controlling a telecommunications terminal, the telecommunications terminal requiring an authorised input to perform at least one operation, and including:

a locking function for locking said at least one operation of the telecommunications terminal;

a telecommunications network operable to selectively transmit to the telecommunications terminal an unlocking application; and

the telecommunications terminal being adapted to receive the unlocking application and run the unlocking application to enable said at least one locked operation.

14. A system according to claim 13 adapted to perform the method of selectively transmitting to the telecommunications terminal an unlocking application, receiving the unlocking application at the telecommunications terminal and running the unlocking application to enable said at least one locked operation.

15. A telecommunications terminal requiring an authorised input to perform at least one operation, and including a locking function that locks said at least one operation of the telecommunications terminal, the telecommunications terminal being adapted to receive an unlocking application transmitted thereto and to run the unlocking application to enable said at least one locked operation.

16. A telecommunications terminal according to claim 15 adapted to perform the method of selectively transmitting to the telecommunications terminal an unlocking application, receiving the unlocking application at the telecommunications terminal and running the unlocking application to enable said at least one locked operation.

17. A method of securely receiving and storing a received message in a telecommunications terminal, the telecommunications terminal having a first environment for running an operating system, and a second environment that is more secure than the first environment;

including a message being received at said telecommunications terminal and said telecommunications terminal locating a least part of said message in said second environment.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said message includes an application for running in said second environment.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said message further includes an authentication token, the method including a step of checking the validity of the authentication token before running said application.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the authentication token comprises a digital signature.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said message includes a digital certificate, the telecommunications terminal checking the validity of the certificate before running said application.

22. A method according to claim 17, wherein the message is transmitted in encrypted form and is decrypted by the terminal after receipt.

23. A method according to claim 18, including an end step of the telecommunications terminal deleting or disabling the application, for example, once the unlocking application has enabled said at least one locked operation.

24. A system for a telecommunications terminal to securely receive and store a received message, comprising a telecommunications terminal having a first environment for running an operating system, and a second environment that is more secure than the first environment, and a server for sending a message;

wherein the telecommunications terminal is adapted to receive the message and to locate a least part of the message in said second environment.

25. A system according to claim 24 adapted to perform the method of securely receiving and storing a received message in a telecommunications terminal.

26. A telecommunications terminal having a first environment for running an operating system, and a second environment that is more secure than the first environment, wherein the telecommunications terminal is adapted to receive a message and to locate a least part of said message in said second environment.

27. A telecommunications terminal according to claim 26 adapted to perform the method of securely receiving and storing a received message in a telecommunications terminal.