Optimal Disintegration Strategy in Multiplex Networks under Layer Node-Based Attack

Abstract

From social networks to complex infrastructures, many systems could be described by multiplex networks formed by a set of nodes connected via more than one type of links. Network disintegration, which is the problem of identifying a set of nodes or edges whose removal would maximize the network collapse, is significant for dismantling harmful networks. In this article, we consider the optimal disintegration strategy problem in multiplex networks and extend the attack mode to the layer node-based attack. An optimization model is proposed to search the optimal strategy of a multiplex network under layer node-based attack with fix attack length. Two types of strategies based on the information of multiplex nodes and layer nodes, respectively, are also given for comparison. Through experiments in both model networks and real networks, we found that the approximate optimal strategies could be identified by solving the model. The properties of the optimal strategies are also summarized.