An optimized adaptive algorithm for authentication of safety critical messages in VANET

Authentication is one of the essential frameworks to ensure safe and secure message dissemination in Vehicular Adhoc Networks (VANETs). But an optimized authentication algorithm with reduced computational overhead is still a challenge. In this paper, we propose a novel classification of safety critical messages and provide an adaptive algorithm for authentication in VANETs using the concept of Merkle tree and Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). Here, the Merkle tree is constructed to store the hashed values of public keys at the leaf nodes. This algorithm addresses Denial of Service (DoS) attack, man in the middle attack and phishing attack. Experimental results show that, the algorithm reduces the computational delay by 20 percent compared to existing schemes.