An intrusion prevention system (IPS) works by actively monitoring network traffic for signs of malicious activity or policy violations. It uses a combination of signature-based detection, which looks for known patterns of attacks, and anomaly-based detection, which identifies deviations from normal behavior. When the IPS detects potentially harmful activity, it can take immediate actions such as dropping malicious packets, blocking traffic from specific IP addresses, resetting connections, and alerting administrators to prevent the threat from compromising the network.
An intrusion detection system (IDS) is a security technology designed to detect unauthorized access or abnormal activity on a network or computer system. It works by analyzing incoming and outgoing network traffic, comparing it against a database of known attack signatures, and monitoring for unusual patterns of behavior that may indicate a security breach. When the IDS identifies suspicious activity, it generates alerts to notify administrators, enabling them to investigate and respond to potential threats. Unlike an IPS, an IDS is passive and does not actively block traffic.
A wireless intrusion prevention system (WIPS) works by continuously scanning the wireless network for unauthorized devices, rogue access points, and suspicious activity. It uses sensors placed throughout the wireless environment to monitor radio frequencies and capture network traffic. WIPS can detect and classify wireless threats, such as unauthorized devices attempting to connect to the network or malicious activities like man-in-the-middle attacks. Upon detecting a threat, the WIPS can take preventive measures, such as blocking the unauthorized device, disconnecting suspicious connections, and alerting network administrators to ensure the security of the wireless network.