Power aware malicious nodes detection for securing MANETs against packet forwarding misbehavior attack

A power aware detection procedure for securing mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) against packet forwarding misbehavior attack is introduced. Packet forwarding misbehavior attack is one of the security attacks in which malicious nodes make MANETs weak by showing packet dropping misconduct. The proposed protocol is named as power aware malicious detection for security (PAMDS) protocol. The feature of power aware is desirable to prolong MANET lifetime as under certain conditions, it is impracticable to replace or recharge the nodes' batteries. The protocol employs intrusion detection system (IDS) for the detection and exclusion of the nodes inducing packet forwarding misbehavior attack in the network. The detection procedure reacts quickly in detecting and isolating malicious nodes. The detection procedure is power aware as only a small set of nodes that have enough energy and that cover the entire network are selected for running IDS. Also, IDS nodes are not required to work in promiscuous listening mode 100% of the time, this further saves power. PAMDS protocol emphasizes on security of the mobile ad hoc environment and power saving of the battery powered hand held devices. The protocol has been extensively simulated using network simulator NS-2. The findings indicate that PAMDS protocol is effective in terms of power saving, quick malicious node isolation and packet delivery ratio percentage.