Call Forwarding Confirmation for IMS Fraud Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bad actors exploit call forwarding services in IMS networks to gain unauthorized access to user accounts by tricking users into implementing communication forwarding requests, often using Man Machine Interface (MMI) codes, compromising multi-factor authentication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where communication forwarding requests are confirmed by the user before execution, requiring authentication and providing notifications with interactive elements or challenges to ensure user intent, and utilizing fraud mitigation modules to detect potential fraudulent activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If call forwarding service is implemented without user confirmation, then service convenience is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary user authentication and confirmation actions before executing the call forwarding service. The application server sends a notification to the UE displaying service details (forwarding destination, duration, type) and requires explicit user approval. This preliminary verification step prevents unauthorized forwarding while maintaining legitimate user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the application server communicates service status and details back to the UE. Notifications are sent to inform users of incoming forwarding requests, and the system waits for user feedback (approval or rejection) before executing the forwarding. This feedback loop ensures user awareness and control.
2Reliability
If user authentication is required for call forwarding, then security is improved, but operation complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service authentication where the UE itself performs verification of service details and presents them to the user for approval. The notification automatically includes all relevant service parameters (destination number, forwarding duration, message type), eliminating the need for complex manual verification procedures while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification interface uses visual indicators and display elements to clearly present service information in an easily distinguishable format. The UI design employs visual cues to highlight critical information (forwarding destination, time, type) making user understanding and decision-making simpler without requiring complex interaction.
3Loss of information
If notification is sent to user before forwarding, then user awareness is improved, but time delay is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The notification is sent as a preliminary action immediately when the forwarding request is received, before the actual call forwarding executes. This allows the user to review service details and provide timely feedback. The system then executes forwarding quickly after receiving user approval, minimizing overall delay while ensuring user awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification provides comprehensive service information (excessive detail) in a condensed format, including all forwarding parameters in a single notification message. This approach ensures complete user awareness without requiring multiple sequential communications, thereby reducing time delay while maintaining information completeness.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described herein for providing improved communication forwarding implementation for a user equipment. In embodiments, such techniques may be performed at least portion on one of an application server. Such techniques may comprise receiving, from a first user equipment, a request to implement a service in relation to the first user equipment, determining that the service relates to forwarding communications directed to the first user equipment to a second user equipment, providing, to the first user equipment, a notification including information about the service, receiving, from the first user equipment, a response to the notification, and making a determination about an implementation of the service based on the received response.