Detection and localization of sybil nodes in VANETs

Bin Xiao, Yu Bo, Gao Chuanshan

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

159 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sybil attacks have been regarded as a serious security threat to ad hoc networks and sensor networks. They may also impair the potential applications of VANETs(Vehicular Ad hoc Networks) by creating an illusion of traffic congestion. In this paper, we present a lightweight security scheme for detecting and localizing Sybil nodes in VANETs, based on statistic analysis of signal strength distribution. Our scheme is a distributed and localized approach, in which each vehicle on a road can perform the detection of potential Sybil vehicles nearby by verifying their claimed positions. We first introduce a basic signal-strength-based position verification scheme. However, the basic scheme proves to be inaccurate and vulnerable to spoof attacks. In order to compensate for the weaknesses of the basic scheme, we propose a technique to prevent Sybil nodes from covering up for each other. In this technique, traffic patterns and support from roadside base stations are used to our advantage. We, then, propose two statistic algorithms to enhance the accuracy of position verification. The algorithms can detect potential Sybil attacks by observing the signal strength distribution of a suspect node over a period of time. The statistic nature of our algorithms significantly reduces the verification error rate. Finally, we conduct simulations to explore the feasibility of our scheme.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDIWANS 2006 - Proceedings of the 2006 Workshop on Dependability Issues in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks and Sensor Networks (part of MobiCom 2006)
Pages1-8
Number of pages8
Volume2006
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2006
EventDIWANS 2006 - 2006 Workshop on Dependability Issues in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks and Sensor Networks - Los Angeles, CA, United States
Duration: 26 Sept 200626 Sept 2006

Conference

ConferenceDIWANS 2006 - 2006 Workshop on Dependability Issues in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks and Sensor Networks
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLos Angeles, CA
Period26/09/0626/09/06

Keywords

  • Position verification
  • Signal strength distribution
  • Sybil attacks
  • Vehicular Ad hoc networks

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Hardware and Architecture
  • Software

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