A mix route algorithm for mix-net in wireless mobile ad hoc networks

Abstract

Providing anonymous connection service in mobile ad hoc networks is a challenging task. In addition to security concerns, performance concerns must be addressed properly as well. Chaum's mix method (Comms. of the ACM, vol.24(2), p.84-88, 1981) can effectively thwart an adversary's attempt at tracing packet routes and can hide the source and/or destination of packets. However, applying the mix method in ad hoc networks may cause significant performance degradation due to its non-adaptive mix route selection algorithm. We propose a dynamic mix routing algorithm to find topology-dependent mix routes for anonymous connections. Its effectiveness in improving network performance is validated by simulation results. We also address the potential degradation of anonymity due to dynamic mix routing.