Secure Localization Algorithms in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Review

Localization plays a vital role in understanding the application context for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, it is vulnerable to various threats due to the open arrangement area, the nature of radio broadcasting, and resource constraint. Two kinds of attacks on localization process need to be investigated. On the one hand, adversaries may capture, impersonate, replicate, or fabricate nodes to mislead the target to an incorrect position. On the other hand, adversaries may tamper, interfere, replay, or modify jointly localization information to disturb the localization. This paper describes two kinds of localization attacks and gives a systematic survey of existing secure localization solutions, including the design ideas, application scopes, and limitations. Next, several novel secure localization schemes for special WSNs applications, including Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs), Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) and three-dimensional (3D), are analyzed. Finally, many open problems for secure localization are presented.