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Types of Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

Written by Tshedimoso Makhene | December 20, 2023

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) can be broadly categorized into several types based on their methodology, functionality, and deployment. Each type of IDS has its strengths and weaknesses, and often a combination of multiple types is used to provide comprehensive threat detection and mitigation.

 

What is an IDS?

An IDS is a sophisticated security mechanism that monitors networks, servers, and computer systems for any suspicious or malicious activity. 

Go deeperWhat is IDS?

 

Types of IDS and how they work

Network-based IDS (NIDS)

  • Monitors network traffic and identifies suspicious patterns or anomalies.
  • Operates at the network level, analyzing packets passing through the network.
  • Can detect various attacks like port scanning, denial-of-service (DoS), and other network-based attacks.

Host-based IDS (HIDS)

  • Operates on individual devices or hosts, monitoring activities within the operating system and applications.
  • Analyzes logs, file system changes, and system calls to detect suspicious behavior or unauthorized access.
  • Particularly effective in detecting insider attacks and malware activities.

Signature-based IDS

  • Uses a database of known attack patterns or signatures to identify threats.
  • Compares incoming traffic or system activity against these signatures to find matches.
  • Effective against known threats but might struggle with detecting new or unknown attacks.

Anomaly-based IDS

  • Establishes a baseline of "normal" behavior and flags deviations as potential threats.
  • Learns what normal behavior looks like and alerts when activities significantly differ from the established baseline.
  • Can potentially detect new or zero-day attacks but might generate false positives if the baseline isn't accurately defined.

Behavior-based IDS

  • Focuses on observing behavior rather than specific signatures or anomalies.
  • Tracks actions and sequences of events to detect suspicious behavior that deviates from expected patterns.
  • It is often used to detect complex attacks that involve multiple stages or unusual sequences of events.

Heuristic-based IDS

  • Utilizes rules and algorithms to identify potential threats based on certain predefined heuristics.
  • Employs a more flexible approach than signature-based systems, allowing for the detection of new threats based on behavioral rules.

Machine learning-based IDS

  • Utilizes machine learning algorithms to analyze and detect threats.
  • Can adapt and improve detection capabilities over time by learning from new data.
  • Can be employed in various types of IDS, such as anomaly-based or behavior-based systems.

Wireless IDS (WIDS)

  • Specifically designed to monitor wireless networks for unauthorized access points, rogue devices, or other wireless-specific threats.
  • Focuses on securing wireless communication and detecting intrusions in wireless environments.

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