DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/TDR4-B970
Defense Date
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Computer Science
First Advisor
Wanyu Zang
Abstract
Cognitive radios are currently presented as the solution to the ever-increasing spectrum shortage problem. However, their increased capabilities over traditional radios introduce a new dimension of security threats. Cooperative Spectrum Sensing (CSS) has been proposed as a means to protect cognitive radio networks from the well known security threats: Primary User Emulation (PUE) and Spectrum Sensing Data Falsification (SSDF). I demonstrate a new threat to trust-based CSS protocols, called the Rogue Signal Framing (RSF) intrusion. Rogue signals can be exploited to create the illusion of malicious sensors which leads to the framing of innocent sensors and consequently, their removal from the shared spectrum sensing. Ultimately, with fewer sensors working together, the spectrum sensing is less robust for making correct spectrum access decisions. The simulation experiments illustrate the impact of RSF intrusions which, in severe cases, shows roughly 40\% of sensors removed. To mitigate the RSF intrusion's damage to the network's trust, I introduce a new defense based on community detection from analyzing the network's Received Signal Strength (RSS) diversity. Tests show a 95\% damage reduction in terms of removed sensors from the shared spectrum sensing, thus retaining the benefits of CSS protocols.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
May 2013