Device Token Validation for Recycled Phone Number Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a mobile phone number is recycled, there is a risk that sensitive data, such as one-time passwords, can be sent to an unauthorized party if the new user is not properly validated, as existing systems do not effectively prevent data message delivery to reassigned numbers.
Innovation Solution
A unique token is assigned to a mobile phone number, which must be validated by a processing server before data messages can be sent, ensuring that only authorized recipients receive messages. This token is cancelled when the number is surrendered, preventing delivery to unauthorized parties upon reassignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a phone number is recycled and reassigned to a new user, then the number becomes available for reuse, but sensitive data may be sent to unauthorized parties if the new user is not properly validated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation by requiring the sender to provide a valid device token along with the phone number before delivering sensitive data. The processing server verifies this token against the device profile database in advance of data delivery, ensuring the recipient is authorized before any sensitive information is transmitted. This preliminary check prevents the security vulnerability that would otherwise occur when recycled numbers are reassigned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a device token as an intermediary validation mechanism between the sender and the recipient's phone number. This token acts as a mediator that proves the sender has authorization to communicate with the specific device. The processing server validates this intermediary token before allowing data delivery, creating a secure bridge that prevents unauthorized reception of sensitive data on recycled numbers.
2Productivity
If traditional message delivery systems are used without token validation, then message delivery is simple and fast, but sensitive data can be delivered to unauthorized recipients with recycled numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the device token validation as a preliminary step before initiating actual data delivery. By verifying the token against the device profile database in advance, the system ensures security checks are completed beforehand, allowing fast delivery once validation succeeds. This preliminary action prevents security violations without significantly impacting overall delivery speed for authorized communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing server provides feedback to the sender about whether the provided device token is valid before delivering sensitive data. If the token validation fails, the system immediately notifies the sender and prevents delivery, avoiding wasted transmission of sensitive information. This feedback mechanism maintains productivity by quickly rejecting unauthorized delivery attempts while allowing rapid delivery of authorized messages.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for validating a message recipient includes: storing, in a memory of a processing server, a device profile, wherein the device profile is related to a mobile computing device and includes at least a device identifier, and token validation data; receiving, by a receiver of the processing server, a data signal from an external system that is encoded with a message packet, wherein the message packet includes at least the device identifier, a device token, and a content message; validating, by a processing device of the processing server, the device token using at least the token validation data; and electronically transmitting, by a transmitter of the processing server, the content message to the mobile computing device.