Maintaining mobile terminal information for secure communications

A system for securing communications with a mobile terminal, the system comprising:

• a host system configured to receive a service activation code to authenticate the user of the mobile terminal;
• wherein, the mobile terminal has a permanent terminal identity and a temporary identity;
• wherein, encryption information is derived from a service activation code, that is provided offline to the host server to prevent eavesdropping prior to establishing a secure communications channel;
• wherein, the secure communications channel is established for communications with the mobile terminal using the encryption information derived from the service activation code;
• wherein, the encryption information is generated at the mobile terminal;
• a messaging center configured to provide communications to the mobile terminal via the secure communications channel.

A system comprising:

• means for, maintaining information concerning a plurality of mobile terminals, the information comprising encryption information and an identifier for each mobile terminal;
• means for, receiving a service activation code from an authenticated user of a mobile terminal of the plurality of mobile terminals,
• means for, deriving the encryption information from the service activation code;
• wherein the service activation code is provided offline to the host server to prevent eavesdropping prior to establishment of a secure communication channel;
• wherein the encryption information derived from the service activation code is used in establishing the secure communications channel;
• and
• means for, communicating with the mobile terminal via the secure communication channel;
• wherein, the mobile terminal has a permanent terminal identity and a temporary identity.

A method for securing communications with a mobile terminal, comprising:

• maintaining information concerning a plurality of mobile terminals, the information comprising encryption information for each mobile terminal;
• receiving a service activation code from a mobile terminal of the plurality of mobile terminals,
• wherein, the mobile terminal has a permanent terminal identity and a temporary identity;
• deriving the encryption information from the service activation code;
• wherein, the encryption information is generated at the mobile terminal;
• establishing a secure communications channel using the service activation code to communicate with the mobile terminal.