SMS

Short Message Service

Short Message Service (SMS) is
a text messaging service component
of phone, web, or mobile
communication systems, using
standardized communications
protocols that allow the exchange of
short text messages between fixed
line or mobile phone devices
SMS Architecture
GSM Network
IWMSC
Originating MS
SM-SC
Short Message
Sender
GSM Network
SMS
GMSC
MSC
MS
SIM
Terminating MS
BSS
SMS GMSC : SMS Gateway MSC
IWMSC : Interworking MSC
SM-SC : Short Message Service Center
MSC : Mobile Switching Center
BSS : Base Station System
SIM : Subscriber Identity Module
MS : Mobile Station
Figure GSM short message service network
architecture
SMS is the most widely used data application in
the world, with 3.5 billion active users, or 78% of all
mobile phone subscribers
The term "SMS" is used for all types of short text
messaging and the user activity itself in many
parts of the world. SMS is also employed in direct
marketing, known as SMS marketing
SMS as used on modern handsets originated
from radio telegraphy in radio memo pagers using
standardized phone protocols
SMS & MMS
Short Messaging Service (SMS)
Also known as Simple Message Service
Intention
Designed as a replacement for the Pager
The pager allows text messages to be sent to the device
To respond you must get to a phone
Still widely used, in
Hospitals
Military
Police
Industry
SMS & MMS
SMS allowed
Two way communications of the text messages
Maximum character length of 160 characters
This can change though depending on the operator or the character set used
Character sets supported are
ASCII + additional European characters
Unicode
First Text
Was sent in December 1992, to a Vodafone device
Sent by Neil Papworth, saying Merry Christmas


Flash SMS

A Flash SMS is a type of SMS that appears directly on the
main screen without user interaction and is not
automatically stored in the inbox

Silent SMS

Silent messages, also known as silent sms, stealth sms or
stealth ping, are employed nowadays to locate a person
and thus to create a complete movement profile. The
police, will capture data such as subscriber identification

Why is SMS important to mobile security

Mobile phone messaging is unique attack surface
Always on
Functionality becoming more feature rich
Ringtones
Videos
Pictures
Technical hurdles for attackers are dropping
Easily modified phones
iPhone
Android
Functionality at higher layers
Lower layers will be attackable soon
REFERENCES
http://www.spy-solutions.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Dcu0ANRw0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DcFetLJSqo