Secure Data Transmission Against Blackhole Attack in Manets

Blackhole attacks pose a significant threat to wireless networks by allowing a malicious node to falsely claim it has the most efficient route to the destination. Once data packets are routed through this node, it intercepts and discards them, resulting in data loss and network disruption. These attacks are particularly damaging in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), which are decentralized, self-configuring systems of mobile nodes that communicate wirelessly without fixed infrastructure. MANETs are widely used in applications requiring rapid and flexible deployment, such as military operations, disaster response, and remote communication. However, their open and dynamic nature makes them highly susceptible to security vulnerabilities. This research proposes a comprehensive system to ensure secure data transmission in MANETs by mitigating blackhole attacks. The solution includes detection techniques, which monitor packet forwarding behaviour and analyze route advertisements to identify malicious nodes, and prevention methods that incorporate trust-based routing and cryptographic mechanisms. The goal is to develop an efficient defense framework that enhances network reliability and security in dynamic, decentralized environments.