Snort is an open-source network intrusion detection system (NIDS) designed to monitor network traffic in real time. It identifies malicious activities by analyzing packets against a comprehensive rule set, helping organizations detect exploits, malware, and unauthorized access attempts. Its flexibility allows customization of rules, making it adaptable to dynamic threat landscapes. Beyond basic detection, Snort provides detailed logging and alerting mechanisms, enabling security teams to investigate incidents thoroughly. Its active development community ensures continuous updates to rule sets, aligning with new attack vectors. Snort's integration with other security tools enhances its value as a proactive defense mechanism, making it a staple in enterprise and organizational security infrastructures.
