ABSTRACT:
One of the enablers of smart environment is telecommunication and this has been revolutionized by the convergence of global system for mobile communication GSM and the Internet of things IoT. The vulnerabilities instigated by these technologies are threats and attacks thus leading to several issues in terms of security and privacy. Today, one of such security problems faced by telecom operators in an emerging smart environment is the Simbox fraud. In this paper we have identified it as a bypass fraud which occurs when international traffic is routed through the internet using voice over internet protocol VoIP and terminate that call through a local phone number via simboxes. The work presents an overview of simbox architecture and how fraudsters take advantage of technology to commit bypass fraud. We reviewed synergies of detection techniques to mitigate this fraud but unearth several challenges to give future research direction. As fraudsters are smart, technology aware and mask themselves, we proposed the use of advanced combination of multiple technologies including proprietary technologies like protocol signature, pre-call detection along with traditional test call services and call detail record CDR analysis, to develop powerful intelligent analytical tool that can have multiple applications including blocking and geolocating simboxes. The intelligent unified approach technique will effectively detect simboxing fraud and prevent it from affecting telecom companies not only when it comes to revenues but also to communications network congestion, denial and quality of service.
Keywords:
Bypass Fraud, Internet of Things, IP (Internet Protocol), SIM (subscriber identity module), Simbox, Smart Nation, VOIP (Voice over internet protocol).
