Lightweight rogue access point detection algorithm for WiFi-enabled Internet of Things(IoT) devices

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new paradigm that enables the convergence of smart objects and the internet. This convergence has led to the creation of an intelligent network that connects all things to the internet to exchange information. The direct connection of IoT devices to the internet makes them susceptible to several security threats. Several techniques have been proposed by researchers in enhancing the security of IoT devices. Currently, most IoT products use WiFi as their medium of communication. This makes them prone to conventional WiFi attacks of which one is rogue access points. The lightweight nature of most IoT devices makes it difficult to implement conventional security solutions. In this study, we present a real-time and lightweight algorithm, based on information-theoretic approach, that enables rogue access point detection for embedded IoT devices. This is to ensure that WiFi-enabled IoT devices can intelligently distinguish between legitimate and rogue access points. We evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm on the CPU utilization efficiency and the time taken in identifying the rogue access point.