Final answer:
A network-based IDS examines network traffic to identify and prevent potential security threats. It analyzes packets of data flowing through a network to detect any suspicious or malicious activity. It can detect various types of attacks and generate alerts or take action to block suspicious traffic.
Step-by-step explanation:
A network-based IDS, or Intrusion Detection System, examines network traffic to identify and prevent potential security threats. It analyzes packets of data flowing through a network to detect any suspicious or malicious activity. This type of IDS monitors network traffic in real-time and can identify various types of attacks, such as port scanning, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and unauthorized access attempts.
For example, if a network-based IDS detects a large number of requests being sent to multiple ports from a single IP address within a short period of time, it may flag it as a potential port scanning activity.
Network-based IDS can also be used to detect patterns and anomalies in network traffic, such as unusual traffic spikes or data packets that are outside of the expected norms. These systems can be configured to generate alerts or take immediate action to block or quarantine suspicious traffic.