What is the primary function of host-based IDSs?

Host-based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are designed primarily to monitor the activities on a single computer or host for any unusual behavior or potential security breaches. This involves analyzing system logs, monitoring processes, tracking file changes, and detecting patterns that could indicate malicious activity or policy violations. By focusing on individual hosts, these systems can provide detailed insights into how a system is being used and can alert administrators to suspicious activity as it occurs.

Unlike network-based IDS, which monitor traffic across networks for incoming threats, or email scanning solutions that focus on analyzing emails for malware, host-based IDSs offer a closer inspection of specific host environments. This enables them to identify anomalies that may not be apparent through network traffic analysis alone, providing a more granular level of security monitoring for individual devices.