Simulation of network layer-based security attacks in a mobile ad-hoc network

Abstract

The opportunistic nature of the Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET) helps to deploy instantly where it is needed. MANET is the best solution as a network where infrastructure networks are unavailable. The fundamental characters of these networks are the reason for the vast variety of security attacks on them. Simulators provide a better platform to conduct research, though faulty designs of simulations provide incorrect results. Therefore, the issue remains available for a valid solution. We designed the study to investigate the network layer-based security attacks. The study included a detailed information of different attack simulations. Network Simulator 2 (NS2) was used. Ad-hoc On-demand Vector (AODV) routing protocol was used for the study. The Blackhole, Grayhole, and Wormhole attacks were simulated. The impacts of these attacks on the network performance were evaluated with Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), Average End-to-End Delay (AEED), Throughput, and Simulation Processing Time of an Intermediate node (SPTIN). The active attacks caused more damages to the network performance than passive attacks do. Moreover, the results proved that the impacts of an attack depend on the design of the attack. The incorrect design provides faulty results which lead to ill decisions. We are expecting to extend the simulation of different security attacks based on different simulators.