A host-based intrusion detection system (HIDS) is designed to detect malicious activity on individual hosts by monitoring system behavior, logs, file integrity, and processes. Unlike firewalls or antivirus tools, a HIDS focuses on detecting suspicious or unauthorized activity rather than blocking traffic or enforcing access rules.
HIDS solutions typically use a combination of signature-based detection, which identifies known attack patterns, and anomaly-based detection, which identifies deviations from normal system behavior. This dual approach allows a HIDS to detect both known threats and previously unseen attacks.
Option A describes antivirus functionality rather than intrusion detection. Option B refers to firewall behavior, which is network-focused, not host-based. Option D describes intrusion prevention, not detection.
Cybersecurity operations fundamentals clearly distinguish HIDS as a detection technology, often paired with host-based intrusion prevention systems (HIPS) for blocking capabilities.
Therefore, the purpose of a HIDS is to detect threats using both signature-based and anomaly-based techniques, making Option C the correct answer.

Input sanitization involves cleaning up user input before processing it, ensuring that it does not contain malicious code intended for buffer overflow attacks or other types of security breaches. References := New Cybersecurity Skills

When a system is overwhelmed with alerts, designing criteria for reviewing alerts can help prioritize and manage them more effectively. This approach allows for a structured review process that can distinguish between false positives, false negatives, and legitimate alerts, reducing the overall number of alerts that require attention3.
References := The strategy of designing criteria for reviewing alerts is recommended in cybersecurity best practices to manage alert fatigue and improve the efficiency of security operations3.