Trust-aware ad hoc network security using random bit operations and RC4 stream cipher framework
Prashant Vatsprashant.vats@jaipur.manipal.eduDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringManipal University JaipurJaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, IndiaView full profile → , Naveen Tewarinavtewari@gmail.comDepartment of Computer ApplicationsSchool of ComputingGraphic Era Hill UniversityBhimtal Campus, Nagri Gaon, Uttarakhand, 263132, IndiaView full profile → , Surabhi Shankersurabhi.shanker@krmangalam.edu.inCentre of Excellence - Cyber SecuritySchool of Engineering and TechnologyK. R. Mangalam UniversityGurugram, Haryana, 122103, IndiaView full profile → , Devesh Kumar Srivastavadevesh.srivastava@jaipur.manipal.eduDepartment of Information TechnologyManipal University JaipurJaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, IndiaView full profile → , Madan Lal Sainimadan.e13485@cumail.inDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringApex Institute of Technology (AIT)Chandigarh UniversityMohali, Punjab, 140413, IndiaView full profile → , *Ashok Kumar SainiCorresponding authorashok.saini@jaipur.manipal.eduDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringManipal University JaipurJaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, IndiaView full profile →
* Corresponding author · click or hover a name for details
- Received:
- 01 Nov 2025
- Published Online:
- 14 Aug 2026
- Article type:
- Research Article
- Language:
- EN
- Article no.:
- JDMSC-2639
- Pages:
- 3027–3036
Abstract
In dynamic and decentralized environments such as ad hoc networks, ensuring secure communication and mutual trust among nodes presents a significant challenge due to the absence of centralized control and frequent topology changes. This paper proposes a Trust-Aware Security Framework that integrates Random Bit Operations with the RC4 Stream Cipher to enhance confidentiality, authenticity, and trustworthiness in node-to-node communication. The proposed model employs random bit manipulation during the key generation and encryption phases to increase entropy and resist statistical and correlation attacks typically associated with traditional RC4 implementations.
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References
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