Improving Security Through Improved Port Knocking Technique

Secure communication has emerged as a critical research domain due to the increasing complexity and vulnerability associated with modern data transmission technologies. A primary challenge in network security arises from the multitude of services operating on interconnected systems, particularly through open ports that remain accessible to external entities. These ports often serve as potential entry points for a wide range of cyberattacks. Notably, services intended for restricted or private access require enhanced protection mechanisms compared to those designed for public use. Port Knocking is a firewall-level authentication technique that aims to obscure network services by rendering them invisible to unauthorized users and automated port scanning tools. Despite its advantages, traditional Port Knocking schemes remain susceptible to several sophisticated threats, including Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, replay attacks, and IP spoofing. This study proposes an improved Port Knocking mechanism that leverages cryptographic primitives and dynamic firewall configurations to enhance the robustness of authentication and resist coordinated attacks. Performance and security evaluations conducted using simulation tools to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method under various threat scenarios. The study focuses on experiments with actual implementations, where their performance is evaluated and compared against one another. Based on the existing port knocking we have designed an appropriate algorithm for ensuring improved security on communicating devices.