Some studies on security issues in multicast mobile ad hoc network

Abstract

Wireless ad-hoc networks are suitable and sometimes the only solution for several applications. Many applications, particularly those in military and critical civilian domains, require that ad-hoc networks be secure and stable. In fact, security is one of the main barriers to the extensive use of ad-hoc networks in many operations. Performance of the multicast Mobile Ad-hoc NETwork (MANET) is analyzed against these attacks. Specifically, analyzing how the number of attackers and the number of receivers affects the performance of a multicast session is the thrust area of this study. Performance metrics used are Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), Endto-End delay, Delay jitter and Throughput. The results enable the researchers to suggest measures to minimize the impacts of these attacks on multicast in MANET. The proposed method uses asymmetric key algorithms such as RSA and MD5. Confidentiality and Integrity are the basis of any secure communication. Both keys (Public and Private) are generated by RSA cryptographic algorithm. Integrity is ensured by appending a hash value, generated from the input message given to the network, using MD5 algorithm. Forward and backward secrecy is also ensured by the proposed batch re-keying scheme. The proposed re-keying scheme can improve communication cost and reduce the number of re-key messages, when the members join or leave the network. When many of the members join or leave at the same time, the proposed batch re-keying scheme improves the rekeying performance. The factors include computation complexity, storage capacity, and number of re-key messages generated, efficiency and so on. No specific security method is the best solution for all applications. This report discusses various security attacks, security enhancement methods and key distribution methods in multicast MANET. Security enhancement is achieved through RSA and MD5 algorithms. The keys required for secure group communication is generated by using MDS codes and with the proposed new batch re-keying concepts. newline newline