Abstract: Mobile ad hoc networks composed of mobile wireless nodes,are particularly vulnerable due to their features of open medium and dynamic changing topology. Clustering is effective in reducing the spending on routing and control and improving the scalability in large mobile ad hoc networks. This paper surveyed the state of the art in secure clustering of mobile ad hoc networks.Firstly,the characters,proposed architectures and security threats of mobile ad hoc networks were analyzed. Secondly, secure clustering schemes were reviewed according to authentication model, evaluation of trust and identification of malicious nodes. We also made a comparison and discussion of their respective merits and faults. Finally, we also presented the challenges which arc still worth to further research in this area.

Key words: Network, Information security, Mobile ad hoc network, Clustering, Survey