In this paper we propose a framework for providing anonymity to communicating cars in VANETs. The anonymity is accomplished based on a system of pseudonym generation, distribution, and replenishing. The road side units (RSUs) play a key role in the framework by receiving the originally generated pseudonyms from the trusted authority, and then distributing pseudonym sets to cars while shuffling the sets amongst themselves to maximize anonymity. The pseudonym distribution process among the RSUs and to the vehicles is highly adaptive to accommodate the needs of the vehicles. We develop a distributed optimization algorithm for the shuffling process and a novel mechanism for cars to change their pseudonyms. Experimental evaluations based on ns3 simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the framework through showing relatively high values of the used metric, namely the anonymity set.
Drivers and passengers in urban areas may spend large portion of their time waiting in their cars on the road while commuting to and from work, to school, or to the supermarket. Regularities of driving patterns in time and in space motivate the formation of communities of common backgrounds and interests. We propose a model for forming and maintaining Vehicular Social Networks (VSNs) that uses trust principles for admission to social groups, and controlling the interactions among members. This paper describes the details of the design, and proposes a simple but representative probabilistic model for deriving the probability of wrongful admissions and the probability of an agent trusting a malicious node. The experimental results, which were obtained from simulations using the network simulation software ns2, describe metrics related to the dynamics of group formation and time to form groups as well as to detecting malicious members. Our system was able to form social groups with agents of common interests and maintain an accurate trust evaluation of their behavior.
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