Investigating the Effect of Uniform Random Distribution of Nodes in Wireless Sensor Networks Using an Epidemic Worm Model

The emergence of malicious codes that attack Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) made it necessary to direct research attention to security. These attacks arising from worms pose devastating threats to networks which can lead to substantial losses or damages. However, recent models developed for the purpose of understanding worm transmission patterns and ensuring its containment did not account for the effect of uniform random deployment of sensor nodes on the Exposed and the Vaccinated compartments. Therefore, in this paper we present a modified Susceptible–Exposed–Infectious–Recovered–Susceptible with Vaccination (SEIRS-V) model for worm propagation dynamics in sensor networks. Our model applies the expression for uniform distribution deployment of sensor nodes so as to study the effect of distribution density and transmission range on the characterized compartments. Furthermore, we presented solutions for the equilibrium points, the reproduction number and proof of stability. Finally, we employed numerical methods to solve and simulate with real values the developed system of differential equations. CCS Concepts Computer systems organizations Embedded and cyberphysical systems Sensor networks. • Security and privacy Intrusion/anomaly detection and malware mitigation Malware and its mitigation. • Mathematics of computing Mathematical analysis Differential equations Ordinary differential equations. • Computing Methodologies modeling and simulation Model development and analysis, Simulation support systems.