AODV-based Defense Mechanism for Mitigating Blackhole Attacks in MANET

Laboratory of Research in Informatics, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco

Abstract

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) are decentralized and self-configuring networks composed of mobile devices that communicate without a fixed infrastructure. However, the open nature of MANETs makes them vulnerable to various security threats, including blackhole attacks, where malicious nodes attract and discard network traffic without forwarding it to its intended destination. Mitigating blackhole attacks is crucial to ensure the reliability and security of communication in MANETs. This paper focuses on the development and evaluation of AODV (Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector)-based defence mechanisms for effectively mitigating blackhole attacks in MANETs, while simultaneously addressing energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. AODV is a widely used routing protocol in MANETs due to its on-demand nature and low overhead. However, it lacks built-in security mechanisms, making it susceptible to attacks. We incorporate energyaware route selection, solar-powered routing, collaborative energy sharing, energy-efficient intrusion detection, green routing optimization, and energy harvesting from environmental sources. By considering energy consumption and environmental factors in the route selection process, our defense mechanism not only enhances the security of the network but also contributes to energy conservation and reduced environmental impact. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed defence mechanisms, extensive simulations and performance analyses are conducted using network simulation tools. Through simulation-based evaluations, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in achieving robust blackhole attack mitigation while extending the network’s lifetime and minimizing its carbon footprint. Our research offers valuable insights into the development of energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions for securing MANETs in the face of evolving security threats.