A Hybrid Trust Management Model for MAS Based Trading Society

Kanagaraj Krishna and Aizaini bin Maarof

Information Security Group, University of Technology Malaysia, Malaysia

Abstract: The widespread use of the Internet signals the need for a better understanding of trust as a basis for secure on-line interaction. In this paper we provide and discuss existing works on trust management models in the area of Multi Agent Systems (MAS) and highlight the shortcomings. Our proposed model is not presented as the final solution to the issue. This new model will have a mechanism that allows agents to manage trust not by just one way but a few combinations of different types of trust in different situations. The proposed model is concerned with the general notion of trust, one that goes beyond cryptographic protocols. Findings from this paper can be used for future research work in the area of trust in MAS and to address further the importance of trust management on the Internet. 

Keywords: Internet, trust management, MAS, hybrid approach, cryptography, untrustworthy agents.