Location privacy protection of maritime mobile terminals

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) can support various high-reliability and low-delay applications in Maritime Networks (MNs). However, security risks in computing task offloading exist. In this study, the location privacy leakage risk of Maritime Mobile Terminals (MMTs) is quantified during task offloading and relevant Location Privacy Protection (LPP) schemes of MMT are considered under two kinds of task offloading scenarios. In single-MMT and single-time offloading scenario, a dynamic cache and spatial cloaking-based LPP (DS-CLP) algorithm is proposed; and under the multi-MMTs and multi-time offloading scenario, a pseudonym and alterable silent period-based LPP (PA-SLP) strategy is proposed. Simulation results show that the DS-CLP can save the response time and communication cost compared with traditional algorithms while protecting the MMT location privacy. Meanwhile, extending the alterable silent period, increasing the number of MMTs in the maritime area or improving the pseudonym update probability can enhance the LPP effect of MMTs in PA-SLP. Furthermore, the study results can be effectively applied to MNs with poor communication environments and relatively insufficient computing resources.