# An Image Hashing-Based Authentication and Secure Group Communication Scheme for IoT-Enabled MANETs
###### Abstract  
Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) play a highly significant role in the Internet of Things (IoT) for managing node mobility. MANET opens the pathway for different IoT-based communication systems with effective abilities for a variety of applications in several domains. In IoT-based systems, it provides the self-formation and self-connection of networks. A key advantage of MANETs is that any device or node can freely join or leave the network; however, this makes the networks and applications vulnerable to security attacks. Thus, authentication plays an essential role in protecting the network or system from several security attacks. Consequently, secure communication is an important prerequisite for nodes in MANETs. The main problem is that the node moving from one group to another may be attacked on the way by misleading the device to join the neighboring group. To address this, in this paper, we present an authentication mechanism based on image hashing where the network administrator allows the crosschecking of the identity image of a soldier (i.e., a node) in the joining group. We propose the node joining and node migration algorithms where authentication is involved to ensure secure identification. The simulation tool NS-2 is employed to conduct extensive simulations for extracting the results from the trace files. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme based on the memory storage communication overhead and computational cost. In our scheme, the attack can be detected effectively and also provides a highly robust assurance. MANET; node mobility; secure communication; image hashing; clustered deployments +
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the following: dynamic topology, multi-hop communication, decentralization infrastructure, scalability, and short connection. The rapid development of wireless technology increases the current demand for IoT [5]. The IoT can be described as a network made up of millions of different devices that allow intelligent \"stuff\" in between. The expansion of opportunistic communication is noticeable in IoT devices, as they are associated with dynamic devices and integrated with IoT enabling adaptable communication between IoT MANET devices [6]. The introduction of MANET into the IoT facilitates improved connectivity through multi-hop connectivity and also supports high scaling. With the integration of MANET, IoT applications can be deployed in military scenarios, smart city applications, waste management, and disaster management, etc. However, the lack of infrastructure and centralized controls increases the risk for the MANET-IoT environment. MANET is susceptible to security attacks, e.g., jamming, Black-hole attack, Sibyl attacks, and packet dropping attacks. These attacks slow down the whole network [7; 8]. MANET is more vulnerable to attacks compared to the networks based on infrastructure. Creating a secure MANET connection is difficult due to: (1) a public wireless device, (2) an unclear defense line, (3) a self-regulatory and self-motivated network, (4) a large number of broadcast messages, (5) hop-by-hop messages, and 6) limited nodes' charge and capacity of batteries [2]. Trust is initiated from the sociology domain [3]. Trust plays a vital role in enhancing the security of specialized networks by a priori assessments or by evaluating the trust of their peers before making any route decisions. Due to resource constraints (e.g., power and bandwidth), not all nodes can participate in the routing and then send packets. Node reliability is a good measure to guarantee the accessibility of the nodes and to ensure reliable communication between them [4]. The mechanisms of cryptography cannot assist in the sensing/blocking of such network-based accidental threats. The trust management concept does not interchange cryptography; however, it improves it. The cryptography and credentials framework decision work manually to achieve the security of MANET-IoT.