Benefits of IDS

  • Detects malicious activity: IDS can detect any suspicious activities and alert the system administrator before any significant damage is done.
  • Improves network performance: IDS can identify any performance issues on the network, which can be addressed to improve network performance.
  • Compliance requirements: IDS can help in meeting compliance requirements by monitoring network activity and generating reports.
  • Provides insights: IDS generates valuable insights into network traffic, which can be used to identify any weaknesses and improve network security.

Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) maintains network traffic looks for unusual activity and sends alerts when it occurs. The main duties of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) are anomaly detection and reporting, however, certain Intrusion Detection Systems can take action when malicious activity or unusual traffic is discovered. In this article, we will discuss every point about the Intrusion Detection System.

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What is an Intrusion Detection System?

A system called an intrusion detection system (IDS) observes network traffic for malicious transactions and sends immediate alerts when it is observed. It is software that checks a network or system for malicious activities or policy violations. Each illegal activity or violation is often recorded either centrally using an SIEM system or notified to an administration. IDS monitors a network or system for malicious activity and protects a computer network from unauthorized access from users, including perhaps insiders. The intrusion detector learning task is to build a predictive model (i.e. a classifier) capable of distinguishing between ‘bad connections’ (intrusion/attacks) and ‘good (normal) connections’....

Working of Intrusion Detection System(IDS)

An IDS (Intrusion Detection System) monitors the traffic on a computer network to detect any suspicious activity. It analyzes the data flowing through the network to look for patterns and signs of abnormal behavior. The IDS compares the network activity to a set of predefined rules and patterns to identify any activity that might indicate an attack or intrusion. If the IDS detects something that matches one of these rules or patterns, it sends an alert to the system administrator. The system administrator can then investigate the alert and take action to prevent any damage or further intrusion....

Classification of Intrusion Detection System(IDS)

Intrusion Detection System are classified into 5 types:...

Intrusion Detection System Evasion Techniques

Fragmentation: Dividing the packet into smaller packet called fragment and the process is known as fragmentation. This makes it impossible to identify an intrusion because there can’t be a malware signature. Packet Encoding: Encoding packets using methods like Base64 or hexadecimal can hide malicious content from signature-based IDS. Traffic Obfuscation: By making message more complicated to interpret, obfuscation can be utilised to hide an attack and avoid detection. Encryption: Several security features, such as data integrity, confidentiality, and data privacy, are provided by encryption. Unfortunately, security features are used by malware developers to hide attacks and avoid detection....

Benefits of IDS

Detects malicious activity: IDS can detect any suspicious activities and alert the system administrator before any significant damage is done. Improves network performance: IDS can identify any performance issues on the network, which can be addressed to improve network performance. Compliance requirements: IDS can help in meeting compliance requirements by monitoring network activity and generating reports. Provides insights: IDS generates valuable insights into network traffic, which can be used to identify any weaknesses and improve network security....

Detection Method of IDS

Signature-based Method: Signature-based IDS detects the attacks on the basis of the specific patterns such as the number of bytes or a number of 1s or the number of 0s in the network traffic. It also detects on the basis of the already known malicious instruction sequence that is used by the malware. The detected patterns in the IDS are known as signatures. Signature-based IDS can easily detect the attacks whose pattern (signature) already exists in the system but it is quite difficult to detect new malware attacks as their pattern (signature) is not known. Anomaly-based Method: Anomaly-based IDS was introduced to detect unknown malware attacks as new malware is developed rapidly. In anomaly-based IDS there is the use of machine learning to create a trustful activity model and anything coming is compared with that model and it is declared suspicious if it is not found in the model. The machine learning-based method has a better-generalized property in comparison to signature-based IDS as these models can be trained according to the applications and hardware configurations....

Comparison of IDS with Firewalls

IDS and firewall both are related to network security but an IDS differs from a firewall as a firewall looks outwardly for intrusions in order to stop them from happening. Firewalls restrict access between networks to prevent intrusion and if an attack is from inside the network it doesn’t signal. An IDS describes a suspected intrusion once it has happened and then signals an alarm....

Placement of IDS

The most optimal and common position for an IDS to be placed is behind the firewall. Although this position varies considering the network. The ‘behind-the-firewall’ placement allows the IDS with high visibility of incoming network traffic and will not receive traffic between users and network. The edge of the network point provides the network the possibility of connecting to the extranet. In cases, where the IDS is positioned beyond a network’s firewall, it would be to defend against noise from internet or defend against attacks such as port scans and network mapper.An IDS in this position would monitor layers 4 through 7 of the OSI model and would use Signature-based detection method. Showing the number of attemepted breacheds instead of actual breaches that made it through the firewall is better as it reduces the amount of false positives. It also takes less time to discover successful attacks against network. An advanced IDS incorporated with a firewall can be used to intercept complex attacks entering the network. Features of advanced IDS include multiple security contexts in the routing level and bridging mode. All of this in turn potentially reduces cost and operational complexity. Another choice for IDS placement is within the network. This choice reveals attacks or suspicious activity within the network. Not acknowledging security inside a network is detrimental as it may allow users to bring about security risk, or allow an attacker who has broken into the system to roam around freely....

Conclusion

Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is a powerful tool that can help businesses in detecting and prevent unauthorized access to their network. By analyzing network traffic patterns, IDS can identify any suspicious activities and alert the system administrator. IDS can be a valuable addition to any organization’s security infrastructure, providing insights and improving network performance....

Frequently Asked Question on Intrusion Detection System – FAQs

Difference between IDS and IPS?...

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