How does a host-based IDS differ from a network-based IDS?

Host-based Intrusion Detection Systems (HIDS) and Network-based Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) serve different purposes in the realm of cybersecurity. The correct answer illustrates that a host-based IDS is specifically deployed on individual devices, such as servers, workstations, or any endpoint where it monitors activities and analyzes system logs directly. This approach allows it to detect malicious activities or policy violations on that specific device.

Conversely, a network-based IDS operates at the network level, monitoring traffic that traverses the entire network infrastructure. It analyzes the data packets moving through the network to identify potential threats or anomalies affecting multiple devices simultaneously. This distinction is crucial because it highlights how each system is utilized: HIDS for device-level security, focusing on host activities, and NIDS for monitoring network-wide traffic for broader detection of intrusions.

Other choices misinterpret key functions and deployment strategies of these systems. For instance, one incorrectly states that host-based IDS analyzes traffic while network-based IDS analyzes software, which does not accurately represent their functions. Similarly, the focus on websites and local networks, as well as the notion of data encryption and decryption, do not align with the core responsibilities and operational environments of HIDS and NIDS.