SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR AUTHENTICATING A DATA SOURCE IN MULTICAST COMMUNICATIONS

摘要

A system is provided for multicasting a data packet in a multicast group. The system includes a source member and a plurality of destination members. The source member is capable of generating a code for the data packet using a symmetric key associated with the source member, and thereafter multicasting the data packet and the code. Each of the destination members is capable of receiving the data packet and the code. The destination member can then multicast a recall packet to the members of the multicast group when the destination member determines that the source member claims an identity of the respective destination member (i.e., spoofs the identity of the respective destination member). Otherwise, the destination member is capable of authenticating the source member based upon the code.