Identifying the impacts of active and passive attacks on network layer in a mobile ad-hoc network: a simulation perspective

Abstract

In this research, we attempted to investigate about the features and behaviors of network layer based active and passive attacks in Ad-hoc On-Demand Vector (AODV) routing protocol in Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANET). Through the literature survey, we try to understand the features of each attacks and examine the behaviors of these attacks through simulations via Network Simulator 2 (NS2). Blackhole, Grayhole and Wormhole attacks are used in this simulation study. Each attacks are introduced independently into the network to find the impacts on network performances that are evaluated through Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), Average End-to-End Delay (AEED), Throughput, Average Data Dropping Rate (ADDR) and Simulation Processing Time at Intermediate Nodes (SPTIN). To obtain more accurate results, simulation parameters are maintained same in each simulation. A controller network is simulated to compare with each attack simulation. Simulations are repeated by changing the number of connected intermediate nodes (hops) in the network. We observed at collected data analysis, the lowest SPTIN in the network that contained a Blackhole or Grayhole attack out of these three attacks. The network which is affected by a Blackhole attack shows higher amount of ADDR than controller network. Furthermore data forwarding rate is higher in the network which is affected by a Wormhole attack. Finally, according to the simulation studies, we are able to understand that Blackhole and Grayhole attacks cause more damage to the network performances than Wormhole attacks.