What type of system is Snort classified as?

Snort is classified as a signature-based intrusion detection system (IDS), which means it analyzes network traffic in real-time and compares it against a set of predefined signatures or rules to identify potential security threats or malicious activities. The primary function of Snort is to detect and alert system administrators to unauthorized access attempts, attacks, and other suspicious behavior on the network by matching observed data packets against known patterns of malicious traffic.

The signature-based nature of Snort allows it to effectively recognize known threats as they occur, making it an important tool in cybersecurity for monitoring and responding to attacks. Additionally, Snort can be configured to operate in three modes: as an intrusion detection system, an intrusion prevention system, or a network sniffer, but its core functionality revolves around detection, which solidifies its classification as an IDS. Thus, its ability to utilize signatures defines its operational capabilities and distinguishes it from other security tools that serve different functions, such as firewalls or data encryption tools.