Title: An authentication protocol for vehicular ad hoc networks with heterogeneous anonymity requirements

Authors: N. Bharadiya Bhavesh; Soumyadev Maity; R.C. Hansdah

Addresses: Department of Computer Science and Automation Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, PIN-560012, India ' Department of Computer Science and Automation Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, PIN-560012, India ' Department of Computer Science and Automation, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, PIN-560012, India

Abstract: In this paper, we have proposed a novel protocol for authentication which can provide multiple levels of anonymity to fulfill heterogeneous anonymity requirements in VANETs. The protocol makes use of identity-based signature mechanism and pseudonyms to implement anonymous authentication with source non-repudiation and integrity. By controlling the number of pseudonyms issued to a vehicle and the lifetime of each pseudonym for a vehicle, the protocol is able to control the level of anonymity provided to a vehicle. In addition, the protocol includes a novel pseudonym issuance policy using which the protocol can ensure the uniqueness of a newly generated pseudonym by checking only a very small subset of the set of pseudonyms previously issued to all the vehicles. The protocol cryptographically binds an expiry date to each pseudonym, and in this way, enforces an implicit revocation for the pseudonyms.

Keywords: vehicular ad hoc networks; VANETs; anonymous authentication; pseudonyms; identity-based signature; authentication protocols; heterogeneous anonymity; cryptography; network security.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSC.2014.060684

International Journal of Space-Based and Situated Computing, 2014 Vol.4 No.1, pp.1 - 14

Received: 18 Jul 2013
Accepted: 09 Dec 2013
Published online: 05 Jul 2014 *

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