Cryptology ePrint Archive: Report 2008/239

Recognition in Ad Hoc Pervasive Networks

Atefeh Mashatan and Douglas R. Stinson

Abstract: We examine the problem of message and entity recognition in the context of ad hoc networks. We review the definitions and the security model described in the literature and examine previous recognition protocols described in ABCLMN98, HWGW05, LZWW05, M03, and WW03. We prove that there is a one to one correspondence between non-interactive message recognition protocols and digital signature schemes. Hence, we concentrate on designing interactive recognition protocols.

We look at LZWW05 in more detail and suggest a variant to overcome a certain shortcoming. In particular, in case of communication failure or adversarial disruption, this protocol is not equipped with a practical resynchronization process and can fail to resume. We propose a variant of this protocol which is equipped with a resynchronization technique that allows users to resynchronize whenever they wish or when they suspect an intrusion.

Category / Keywords: cryptographic protocols / authentication, recognition, ad hoc networks, sensor networks

Date: received 27 May 2008, last revised 27 May 2008

Contact author: amashata at uwaterloo ca

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Version: 20080602:220019 (All versions of this report)

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