The School of Computer Science is pleased to present...
Machine Learning based detection of false alert messages in VANET
MSc Thesis Defense by: Avinash Karhana
Date: Monday, 07 August 2024
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Essex Hall, room 122
Abstract:
The expansion of Intelligent Transportation Systems and their integration into VANETs brings several critical safety and security concerns. Among many is the false alert attack, in which a malicious actor sends adversarial messages to VANET to fabricate artificial traffic incidents. To ensure the safety and reliability of VANET, addressing False Alert Attacks is particularly crucial due to the potential danger that this type of attack poses. False alerts may cause vehicles to take unnecessary evasive actions or diversion to avoid non-existent hazards, which might lead to accidents and endanger the safety of drivers, passengers, and other road users. In this research, we aim to address this threat of false alert attacks in VANETs by using the VeReMiAP Dataset (a VeReMi-based dataset) as a benchmark and develop machine learning models and approaches to detect and mitigate false alert attacks in VANETs. The methodology includes a detailed analysis of the dataset, feature engineering in conjunction with plausibility, and the use of state-of-the-art machine learning models for attack detection. The preliminary results after the detailed analysis of the dataset and feature engineering show significant performance improvements in detecting false alert attacks using classical ML models. These findings strengthen the idea that machine learning models can be used to detect this attack effectively. This thesis focuses on the importance and urgency of addressing false alert attacks in VANETs and the potential of machine learning models to detect and mitigate strategies to prevent such attacks using the VeReMiAP dataset. This research would be one of the initial attempts to address this type of attack using ML techniques, given that this is a relatively new dataset which introduced this type of attack. The contribution of this research will be to provide a baseline for future research in False Alert attack detection using ML while providing insight into this new attack type and the VeReMiAP dataset itself. The findings of this research are expected to aid in developing more robust and secure vehicle communication networks.
Keywords: VANETs, Machine Learning, VeReMiAP Dataset, False Alert Attack, ITS
Thesis Committee:
Internal Reader: Dr. Saeed Samet
External Reader: Dr. Bala Balasingam
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Arunita Jaekel
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Ikjot Saini
Chair: Dr. Muhammad Asaduzzaman
