Using REWARD to detect team black-hole attacks in wireless sensor networks

This paper describes REWARD, a novel routing algorithm for wireless sensor networks. The algorithm is adjustable and can wage counter attacks against either single black holes or teams of malicious nodes. The proposed routing technique is suitable for network nodes that can tune their transmit power. REWARD forwards packets using geographic routing. The algorithm utilizes two types of broadcast messages, MISS and SAMBA, to organize a distributed data base for detected black hole attacks. MISS helps to identify malicious nodes working in the ID space. SAMBA is related to the physical space and provides locations of detected black hole attacks. If a malicious node acts on behalf of another node, SAMBA messages will decline its efficiency. Inevitably, security overhead requires additional energy drawn from the batteries. REWARD allows to strike the balance between security capability and lifetime performance. The method has different levels of security which can be set according to the local conditions. Finally, the paper analyzes the energy overhead associated with different REWARD modifications.