How to Start Secure Email Communications Projects Using NS3

To start a secure email communication project using NS3 that can configure a network in which email communication is encoded and validated. Although NS3 environment is mainly utilized for network protocol simulations then we can be designed the email communication flow across secure protocols such as TLS or SSL and we can replicate the situation, which contain secure email transmission, encryption, and network attacks such as eavesdropping, packet sniffing. Below, we provide structured method to starting secure email communication projects in NS3.

Steps to Start Secure Email Communications Projects in NS3

  1. Install NS3
  1. Download and Install NS3 if we haven’t done so:

git clone https://gitlab.com/nsnam/ns-3-dev.git ns-3

cd ns-3

./waf configure –enable-examples –enable-tests

./waf build

  1. Verify Installation by way of executing a simple instance like a TCP or UDP interaction example, making sure that NS3 is properly installed.
  1. Understand Secure Email Communication Components

A secure email communication system normally contains the below mentioned modules:

  • Email Client: Transmits encrypted emails across a secure channel.
  • Email Server: For secure email transport, it receives emails, frequently set up with TLS/SSL.
  • Encryption Protocol: Generally utilized protocols contain TLS for transport-layer security, PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), or for email content encryption S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions).
  • Network Security Measures: Identify and protect versus attacks such as packet sniffing, spoofing, and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
  1. Set Up a Basic Network Topology

Configure a network topology including an email client and email server. Utilize a secure TCP connection (simulating TLS), we can be replicated the encrypted email transmission and configure diverse nodes signifying clients, mail servers, and potential attackers.

Example: Basic TCP Network with Email Client and Server Nodes

Following instance indicates how to configure a client-server communication through a simulated secure connection.

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

// Create nodes: Client, Server, and Attacker

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(2); // Only client and server in basic setup

// Set up a point-to-point link (simulating the email transmission path)

PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;

pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“5Mbps”));

pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));

NetDeviceContainer devices;

devices = pointToPoint.Install(nodes);

// Install Internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(nodes);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);

// Set up a TCP server (simulating a secure email server)

uint16_t port = 25; // SMTP port (or use port 465 for SMTP over SSL)

Address serverAddress(InetSocketAddress(interfaces.GetAddress(1), port));

PacketSinkHelper sinkHelper(“ns3::TcpSocketFactory”, serverAddress);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = sinkHelper.Install(nodes.Get(1));

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Set up a TCP client (simulating an email client with TLS)

OnOffHelper client(“ns3::TcpSocketFactory”, serverAddress);

client.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“500Kbps”));

client.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024));

client.SetAttribute(“StartTime”, TimeValue(Seconds(2.0)));

ApplicationContainer clientApp = client.Install(nodes.Get(0));

clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

  1. Simulate TLS/SSL Encryption

NS3 don’t have TLS/SSL, however we can replicate the secure channels by considering that data transmitted through TCP is encrypted. We can utilize an NS3 extension or incorporate an external library such as OpenSSL for more advanced TLS simulation within a real system, even though it won’t directly execute within NS3.

Consider the email content is encrypted, and then concentrate on network-based threats such as packet sniffing and replay attacks for simulation purposes.

  1. Add Security Mechanisms to Simulate Encrypted Email

We can replicate the encryption and security:

  • Encryption Simulation: Consider all data transmitted through TCP, if encrypted.
  • Authentication Simulation: Contain handshake simulations or delay signifying verification.
  • Attack Simulation: Execute the network attacks such as eavesdropping by inserting a third “attacker” node.
  1. Set Up Network Security Measures

We can be replicated the attacks such as packet sniffing or a man-in-the-middle attack by means of inserting an attacker node, which tries to intercept or spoof packets. Examine packet flows utilizing packet capture or tracing tools in NS3.

Example: Simulating a Packet Sniffer (Eavesdropper)

  1. Add an Attacker Node: In the network, make a third node to perform like an attacker.
  2. Packet Sniffing: In NS3, seize packets on the link utilizing tracing.

Example:

// Enable packet capture on the link

pointToPoint.EnablePcapAll(“secure-email”);

  1. Generate Email Traffic

Replicate email traffic utilizing applications such as OnOffApplication or PacketSinkApplication. We can modify the traffic patterns denoting diverse email loads and we focus on how they execute in the secure transmission.

Example:

OnOffHelper emailClient(“ns3::TcpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(interfaces.GetAddress(1), port));

emailClient.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“100Kbps”));

emailClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(512));

ApplicationContainer emailClientApp = emailClient.Install(nodes.Get(0));

emailClientApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

emailClientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

  1. Monitor Network and Evaluate Security Performance

Accumulate performance parameters like:

  • Throughput: For email transmission, estimate the data rate.
  • Latency: Compute the delay for email transmission.
  • Packet Loss: Verify if any packets were lost or dropped by reason of encryption overhead or security measures.
  • Attack Detection: We can detect whether packets are intercepted using an attacker.

Monitor performance utilizing FlowMonitor:

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

Ptr<FlowMonitor> monitor = flowmon.InstallAll();

monitor->SerializeToXmlFile(“secure-email-flowmon.xml”, true, true);

  1. Visualize and Analyze Results
  • Pcap Files: Examine the email traffic and make sure that encryption (simulated) is functioning to utilize packet captures.
  • NetAnim: Envision the email flow and attack situations.
  • Trace Files: Analyze trace files examining interaction performance, packet delivery, and any interception attempts.
  1. Experiment with Advanced Scenarios

When we have to configure the simple secure email network then we discover more advanced situations:

  • Multiple Email Clients and Servers: Configure more nodes replicating an organization’s email network including secure communications among several clients and servers.
  • Different Attack Scenarios: We can replicate attacks such as spoofing or replay attacks and then monitor its impact on secure communication.
  • Performance Analysis: Measure the encryption’s (simulated) effect on network throughput, delay, and reliability in different traffic loads.

We have organized the step by step approach for Secure Email Communication projects that were initiated and configured with the help of NS3 environment and we can delve into further detail as needed.

If you need more help with Secure Email Communications Projects using NS3, our experts are here for you. Just send a message to phdprojects.org, and we’ll help you get the best results. We take care of secure protocols like TLS or SSL, so feel free to share your project details for more assistance.