Security: A Core Issue in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

Abstract

Computation is spanning from PC to Mobile devices. The Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) are optimal choice to accommodate this growing trend but there is a problem, security is the core issue. MANETs rely on wireless links for communication. Wireless networks are considered more exposed to security attacks as compared to wired networks, especially; MANETs are the soft target due to vulnerable in nature. Lack of infrastructure, open peer to peer connectivity, shared wireless medium, dynamic topology and scalability are the key characteristics of MANETs which make them ideal for security attacks. In this paper, we shall discuss in detail, what does security mean, why MANETs are more susceptible to security attacks than wired networks, taxonomy of network attacks and layer wise analysis of network attacks. Finally, we shall propose solutions to meet the security challenges, according to our framed security criteria.