What is HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System)?

Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS): An In-Depth Look into the Newest Cybersecurity Tool Fighting Malware and Cyber Attacks

A Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) is a software application or hardware component that oversees the activities on a system (i.e. host) to identify and prevent paperless violation attempts, such as malicious codes or hacks. This, coupled with a range of behaviour monitoring tools, makes it a key player in the field of cybersecurity.

HIPS is one extension in the vast field of Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), which are designed to protect computer networks from becoming targets of this form of illicit cyber activities. what sets HIPS apart from other forms of IPS is that, unlike network-based IPS, which defends a network as a whole, HIPS operates directly on a host or system – such as a PC, workstation, or server – to detect and prevent hostile executions by tracking and controlling system behaviour and system configuration changes.

HIPS plays a crucial role by using three primary principles: anomaly detection, signature detection and behaviour blocking. In anomaly detection, the HIPS typically establishes a baseline activity for the systems and monitors them continuously for any behaviours or activities that deviate from that baseline. Signature detection, on the other hand, functions like antivirus software - it maintains a database of known security threats and stops any actions that match these identified threats. Lastly, HIPS uses behaviour blocking, where it identifies potentially harmful behaviours based on a set of rules, stopping the action before it harms the systems.

Real power of the HIPS, particularly in maintaining cybersecurity, lies in its proactive protection nature. Rather than operating reactively after a breach has occurred, a proactive defense mitigates potential threats before they do any harm. This proactive protection capacity is made possible through behavioural-based detection methods, which allows HIPS to identify exploit attempts or dangerous behaviours, such as buffer overflow attacks, key logging, or unauthorized modification of key system files.

While the benefits of HIPS are evident, the technology comes with its critical challenges, which mainly include susceptibility to zero-day attacks and the need for manual configuration. Zer0-day attacks or threats that are not yet known remain elusive to most HIPS, given that the characteristic of this security technology is largely dependent on the detection of already recognized threats. Adding to this, HIPS also demands a manual configuration that helps to set it up correctly relative to the host system, which could be a cumbersome task.

The context of antivirus is also relevant when discussing HIPS. Within antivirus solutions, HIPS functions as an additional layer of protection, assisting the host system in fending off malware before it breaks into the system. Antivirus usually operates by scanning files and system activities to identify signature-based threats, while the HIPS identifies unusual behaviours that could possibly show a malware attack. So, when working together, antivirus software and HIPS add another dimension to security, yielding a comprehensive protection approach that effectively checks for known and unknown threats.

a Host Intrusion Prevention System or HIPS constitutes a significant layer of end-point cybersecurity solutions. Its consequential role in examining and inhibiting potentially harmful processes makes it a critical method in the toolbox for defending against potential cyber-threats. considering it relies heavily on already recognized threats for identification, cybersecurity strategy should not focus solely on HIPS. Rather, it should be leveraged alongside other technologies, such as antivirus software and a solid network access policy, to effectively enhance defenses and secure a resilient cyber-environment.

HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System) FAQs