Securing vehicular networks: A reputation and plausibility checks-based approach

In VANETs, security is of prime concern. A successful attack by an adversary might have disastrous effects leading to loss of life. At times an adversary may perform event modification, false event generation, data aggregation and data dropping. To overcome these we present a robust algorithm VSRP (Vehicular Security through Reputation and Plausibility checks) to employ security in VANETs. The algorithm takes into consideration three types of events: traffic jams, accidents and application of brakes. The algorithm uses a reputation based system along with sensors, not only to detect, but also to isolate the malicious nodes present in the network. It also handles the problem of data aggregation and data dropping. Through simulations on various scenarios the algorithm has been testified and has been found to be very effective.