Security mechanisms to protect sms exchange in telecommunication networks

A method for controlling the proof of receipt (PoR) messages sent by a mobile device (301) in a wireless communication network after receiving a short message from a communication party, said mobile device comprising a processor (335) arranged to:

• send a short message delivery receipt to the communication party, after normal receipt by the communication device of a first short message sent by said communication party, said first short message delivery receipt being in a byte format different than the received first short message,
• send mobile originated (MO) short messages, of the same byte format as the received short messages,
• transfer the received first short message to an identification module (350) of the mobile device when said first short message is identified as a data update message comprising a data update for said identification module, the method comprising, for one of the authentication module and the processor, the steps of:
• determine that the communication party requests that PoR data for the data update be inserted in a new MO short message serving as a PoR message to said communication party,
• when requested, obtain a short message delivery receipt comprising the PoR data for transmission as a PoR message to the communication party in place of the new MO short message when determining that said communication party matches a predefined criterion.

A wireless communication system comprising:

• a communication party arranged to send data update type of short message to mobile devices of the communication system,
• a mobile device (301) for use in a wireless communication network, said mobile device comprising a processor (335) arranged to:
• send a short message delivery receipt to a communication party, after normal receipt by the communication device of a first short message sent by said communication party, said first short message delivery receipt being in a byte format different than the received first short message,
• send mobile originated (MO) short messages, of the same byte format as the received first short message,
• transfer the received first short message to an identification module (350) of the mobile device when said first short message is identified as a data update message comprising a data update for said identification module,
• the processor being further arranged, upon determination by the authentication module that the communication party requested from said authentication module that proof of receipt (PoR) data for the data update be inserted in a new MO short message serving as a PoR message to said communication party, to send to said communication party a short message delivery receipt comprising said PoR data in place of the new MO short message when said communication party matches a predefined criterion.