Securing Mobile Ad Hoc Networks using distributed firewall with PKI

The MANETs (Mobile Ad Hoc Networks) are increasing on popularity due to their dynamic nature, minimal infrastructure requirements, deployment cost and their self-configuring attributes. Advances in low power computing and communications and increase of transfer rates makes MANETs even more desired in different real world applications. These properties make them ideal for employment in tactical military and civil rapid-deployment networks, including emergency rescue operations and ad hoc disaster-relief networks. Every MANET node acts as a router, thus expanding communications range and creating even larger network. However, decentralized nature of MANETs makes them susceptible to insider and outsider attacks. In this paper, we define security model for MANETs using PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), Firewall and aspects of IPS (Intrusion Prevention System). Our model denies all communication by default. Nodes can access only other nodes and services they are authorized to. Every node contains same security model, which protects it against routing, network and surveillance attacks. Model helps mitigate and prevent against most common attacks. This approach helps nodes to protect against insider and outsider attackers and allows them to withstand security threats which would otherwise damage or cripple whole network.