VoIP Call Spoofing Prevention via Marker Validation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems are vulnerable to call spoofing, allowing malicious users to fraudulently place calls by manipulating signaling and control channels, leading to fraudulent activities such as swatting and other harmful scenarios.

Innovation Solution

Implementing techniques to validate and authenticate call request messages using markers, server-side network call flow analysis, and human validation, including the use of embedded certificates, device identifiers, progressive encoders, and substitutions to secure call signaling information, and employing server-side components for call analysis and callback verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If call request messages are transmitted over accessible networks without validation, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to call spoofing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of placing callsVSAvoidvulnerability to call spoofing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation of call request messages by checking markers and analyzing network call flow patterns before calls are placed. This preventive measure authenticates calls in advance, blocking fraudulent calls before they can cause harm while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate calls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediary validation components including marker checking mechanisms and network call flow analysis between the call request transmission and call placement. These intermediaries authenticate calls without adding significant complexity to the user operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of use and security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If marker validation and network call flow analysis are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall authentication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The validation system is segmented into distinct components: marker validation modules that check specific authentication markers in call requests, and network call flow analysis modules that examine calling patterns. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, improving reliability through specialized validation while managing complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses markers as simplified copies or representations of authentication credentials embedded in call requests. These markers serve as lightweight authentication tokens that provide reliable verification without requiring complex cryptographic handshakes, thereby improving reliability while minimizing added complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8681783B2Prevention of call spoofing in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

Call spoofing in a Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) system may be detected and/or prevented. A device may receive a call request to initiate a VoIP call. The device may analyze marker information in the call request to determine whether the call request is valid. The device may also analyze the call request, based on call pattern information of a quantity of other calls, to determine whether the call request is suspicious; and complete the call based on the determination of whether the call request is valid and the determination of whether the call request is suspicious.