Detection of a virtual base station in a GSM network to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks on subscribers, whereby base station characterizing values are stored and used for their subsequent authentication

摘要

Method for discovering a virtual base station (VBTS) in a GSM network has the following steps: determination of the channel which a base station (BTS) uses as its broadcast control channel (BCCH) and formation of fixed characterizing values for the broadcast level of the BTS; collection and storage of the values as parameters in databases; testing the validity of a BTS by comparison of the data from the BCCH with stored typical values and; display of the result of the comparison as an authentication result. The invention also relates to a corresponding arrangement for implementation of the inventive method that comprises a test mobile phone with a data connection to a universal computer that has a software program for controlling the test arrangement.