Secure geographic based gaming
Security in a geogame is maintained by implementing various security techniques. The various techniques provide specific advantages for different threat modes and attack styles against a geogame implemented via a mobile ad hoc network utilizing a geocast protocol. Jamming is detected by each player device listening for expected retransmissions of its own originated geocasts. If it fails to hear a retransmission, it concludes jamming. Network interdiction is detected by monitoring for received transmissions and/or periodically sending dummy transmissions to support other devices' detections. Location determination attacks are detected by recognizing “impossible” movements. Geogame interruption attacks are detected by detecting unauthorized requests to restart a geogame. Other security measures include utilizing cryptographic keys and/or pass phrases when geocasting. Various penalties within the context of a geogame are levied against a player if a security breach is detected.
1. A method comprising:
determining, by a device participating in a geogame based on a geographic location of the device, an amount of time that has passed since a previous network message was received by the device;
determining, by the device, if the amount of time is equal to or greater than a threshold value of time;
receiving, by the device, a geocast message;
determining, by the device, if the received geocast message is redundant with a previously received geocast message;
upon a determination that the received geocast message is not redundant with a previously received geocast message, comparing, by the device, embedded parameters in the received geocast message with a current state of the device; and
determining, by the device, that
a network interdiction attack has occurred based on:
a determination that the amount of time is greater than a threshold value of time; and
a determination that a current state of geogame play is not possible based on a result of the comparing of the embedded parameters in the received geocast message; or
a network interdiction attack has not occurred based on a determination that the amount of time is not greater than a threshold value of time.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when it is determined that the amount of time is greater than a threshold value of time, levying a penalty upon a player associated with the device.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the penalty comprises at least one of:
reducing game time of the player;
ending the game; or
reducing a game score of the player.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising geocasting a network interdiction attack detection message.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the network interdiction attack detection message is geocast periodically with a time period having a value less than the threshold value time.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
based on the result of the comparison indicating that the current state of geogame play is not possible, levying a penalty upon a player associated with the device.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining multiple locations of the device;
determining a movement parameter of the device based on the determined multiple locations;
determining if the movement parameter is possible for a current state of game play;
when it is determined that the movement parameter is possible, determining that a location determination interdiction attack has not occurred; and
when it is determined that the movement parameter is not possible, determining that a location determination interdiction attack has occurred.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising denying, by the device, a request received prior to conclusion of the geogame to restart the geogame.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating a unique geogame identifier comprising an indication of an ID of the device and an indication of a start time of the geogame; and
rendering an indication of the unique geogame identifier on the device.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
entering a pass phrase by a player associated with the device into the device and into each other device participating in the geogame;
generating a key from the pass phrase;
encrypting a geogame message using the key; and
geocasting the encrypted geogame message.
11. A mobile device comprising:
a processor; and
memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:
determining an amount of time that has passed since a previous geocast packet was received by the device, wherein the device is participating in a geogame based on a geographic location of the device;
determining if the amount of time is equal to or greater than a threshold value of time;
receiving a geocast message;
determining if the received geocast message is redundant with a previously received geocast message;
upon a determination that the received geocast message is not redundant with a previously received geocast message, comparing embedded parameters in the received geocast message with a current state of the device; and
determining that
a network interdiction attack has occurred based on
a determination that the amount of time is greater than a threshold value of time; and
a determination that a current state of geogame play is not possible; or
a network interdiction attack has not occurred based on a determination that the amount of time is not greater than a threshold value of time.
12. The device of claim 11 , the operations further comprising, when it is determined that the amount of time is greater than a threshold value of time, levying a penalty upon a player associated with the device.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the penalty comprises at least one of:
reducing game time of the player;
ending the game; or
reducing a game score of the player.
14. The device of claim 11 , the operations further comprising geocasting a network interdiction attack detection message.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the network interdiction attack detection message is geocast periodically with a time period having a value less than the threshold value time.
16. The device of claim 11 , the operations further comprising:
based on a result of the comparison indicating that a current state of geogame play is not possible, levying a penalty upon a player associated with the device.
17. The device of claim 11 , the operations further comprising:
determining multiple locations of the device;
determining a movement parameter of the device based on the determined multiple locations;
determining if the movement parameter is possible for a current state of game play;
when it is determined that the movement parameter is possible, determining that a location determination interdiction attack has not occurred;
when it is determined that the movement parameter is possible, determining that a location determination interdiction attack has occurred.
18. The device of claim 11 , the operations further comprising denying a request received prior to conclusion of the geogame to restart the geogame.
19. The device of claim 11 , the operations further comprising:
generating a unique geogame identifier comprising an indication of an ID of the device and an indication of a start time of the geogame; and
rendering an indication of the unique geogame identifier on the device.