Reducing the computational load on processors by selectively discarding data in vehicular networks

A method is provided for efficiently processing messages staged for authentication in a security layer of a protocol stack in a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication system. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication system includes a host vehicle receiver for receiving messages transmitted by one or more remote vehicles. The host receiver is configured to authenticate received messages in a security layer of a protocol stack. A wireless message broadcast by a remote vehicle is received. The wireless message contains characteristic data of the remote vehicle. The characteristic data is analyzed for determining whether the wireless message is in compliance with a predetermined parameter of the host vehicle. The wireless message is discarded prior to a transfer of the wireless message to the security layer in response to a determination that the wireless message is not in compliance with the predetermined parameter of the host vehicle. Otherwise, the wireless message is transferred to the security layer.