Many　mission　critical　wireless　sensor　networks　require　an　efficient,　lightweight　and　flexible　intrusion　detection　algorithm　to　identify　malicious　attackers.　In　this　paper,　we　propose　a　distributed　group-based　intrusion　detection　scheme　that　meets　all　the　above　requirements　by　partitioning　the　sensor　networks　into　many　groups　in　which　the　sensors　in　each　group　are　physically　close　to　each　other　and　are　equipped　with　the　same　sensing　capability.　Our　intrusion　detection　algorithm　takes　simultaneously　into　consideration　of　multiple　attributes　of　the　sensor　nodes　to　detect　malicious　attackers　precisely.　We　show　through　experiments　with　real　data　that　our　algorithm　can　decrease　the　false　alarm　rate　and　increase　the　detection　accuracy　compared　with　existing　intrusion　detection　schemes　while　lowering　the　computation　and　transmission　power　consumption.　(C)　2008　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.