Wireless Device Obfuscation via Synthetic Traffic Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks in networked computing environments are vulnerable to malicious interference, allowing attackers to observe and exploit user behavior and device characteristics, leading to potential security breaches and unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of non-functional wireless message traffic patterns to obscure exploitable device characteristics and states, using virtualized devices to simulate network activity and confuse malicious intruders, thereby increasing security by masking genuine device identities and behaviors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless networks transmit device traffic patterns, then device communication functionality is enabled, but device characteristics and user behavior become vulnerable to malicious observation and exploitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of device traffic patterns that mimic genuine device behavior. These synthetic traffic patterns are generated to replicate the communication characteristics of physical devices without exposing actual device identities or user behavior, thereby enabling functionality while preventing malicious exploitation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer that sits between physical devices and the wireless network. This intermediary generates and transmits synthetic traffic patterns on behalf of physical devices, masking actual device characteristics and user behavior from external observers while maintaining legitimate network communication
2Ease of operation
If device traffic patterns are exposed on wireless networks, then network communication is enabled, but security against malicious interference deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates copies of legitimate traffic patterns that can be transmitted over the wireless network without exposing actual device operations. These synthetic copies maintain the appearance of genuine device communication while protecting security-sensitive information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies traffic pattern parameters to create synthetic communications that resemble genuine device behavior. By changing parameters such as timing, data volume, and communication frequency while maintaining overall pattern characteristics, the system enables network communication while obscuring security-critical information
Data Source
AI summary
A method, electronic apparatus and computer program for device obfuscation in electronic networks, comprising determining at least one device type of at least one physical device operable to be at least intermittently attached to a wireless network; generating a pattern of wireless network activity associated with the at least one device type; exposing over the wireless network a plurality of non-functional messages conforming to the pattern; and operating a purported sender and receiver of each of the plurality of messages to obscure at least one of an exploitable characteristic and an exploitable state of the at least one device type with respect to the wireless network.