Security and privacy in emerging wireless networks [Guest Editorial]

Rapid advances in wireless ad hoc networking have extended its application from mobile ad hoc networks and wireless sensor networks to emerging wireless networks including wireless mesh networks, delay-tolerant networks, vehicular networks, and urban sensing networks. While facilitating ubiquitous network access as well as social interactions, these emerging networks are particularly vulnerable to numerous privacy and security threats. For example, attackers may jeopardize the privacy of users in vehicular and urban sensing networks; the adversary may also compromise selected nodes in a tactical delay-tolerant network and thus fail the critical mission of the network. There is clearly an urgent need to protect emerging wireless networks from various security and privacy threats, thereby eliminating a major impediment to their widespread adoption.