Overview of Mobile IPv6 Security

Mobile IP enables a mobile node to be recognized via a single IP address even though the node may travel from one network to another. Despite reposition between different networks, connectivity at different positions is attained continuously with no user intervention. Mobile IP grants connectivity to nodes everywhere, whether within home networks or away from home. General improvement in MIPv6 may offer enhanced security, however, there are areas still prone to attacks. Security solutions for the mobile IP protocol are still in progress. IP Security (IPsec) in the IPv6 protocol can secure Mobile IPv6 more than IPv4. IPsec presents security services for the application and transportation layer protocols of the TCP/IP stack. However, there are several unsolved concerns and problems with Mobile IPv6 in most cases which justifies development of new methods to provide acceptable level of security. This article focuses on how IPsec works, Mobile IPv6 security, potential threats and security considerations.