A Survey on Trust Management Approaches for Secure Data Transmission in MANETs

Abstract

Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETs) are gaining traction due to their ability to spontaneously form wireless networks, independent of any fixed infrastructure. While these networks offer flexibility and self-configuration, ensuring secure data transmission and maintaining trust among participating nodes remains a challenge due to the dynamic nature of MANETs. This paper provides a comprehensive survey on existing trust management techniques that address the issue of secure data transmission in MANETs. We begin by outlining the fundamental characteristics of MANETs that present unique challenges, including frequent topology changes, limited resources, unreliable wireless connectivity, and the susceptibility to various security attacks.