swastik_365 Snort: An Overview of the Leading Network Intrusion Detection System What is Snort? Open-source network intrusion detection/prevention system (NIDS/NIPS). Analyzes network traffic in real time to detect and prevent attacks like DoS, SQL injection, malware, etc. Key Features: Packet Sniffing and Analysis: Monitors and inspects network traffic in real time for malicious activity. Real-time Alerts: Notifies administrators when suspicious activity is detected. Flexible Rules Engine: Customizable rules to detect various attack patterns. Signature-based Detection: Detects known threats by matching packets against attack signatures. Protocol Decoding: Analyzes multiple protocols like HTTP, FTP, and DNS to detect protocol-specific attacks. Active Community: Continuous updates and support from a global community. How Snort Works: Sniffer Mode: Captures network traffic for analysis. Packet Logger Mode: Records traffic for later review. IDS/IPS Mode: Detects and prevents malicious traffic in real time. Benefits: Free and Open-source: Accessible and cost-effective for businesses of all sizes. Highly Customizable: Users can write their own detection rules. Scalable: Suitable for both small networks and large enterprise environments. Active Community Support: Regular updates, documentation, and custom rule sets. Integration: Works well with other security tools, like SIEM and firewalls. Common Use Cases: Enterprise Security: Protects large organizations from cyber threats. Small Business Protection: Affordable network security solution for smaller organizations. Regulatory Compliance: Helps organizations meet compliance requirements. Research and Education: Used in academic settings for studying network security.