IDS Setup Lab

Status: 📋 Planned / Scaffold Created
This project structure is ready for implementation. Configuration files and scripts are placeholders awaiting development.

Goal

Deploy and configure an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) using Snort to monitor network traffic, detect suspicious activity, and generate alerts. This project demonstrates IDS concepts, rule configuration, and alert analysis.

Environment

• OS: Linux (Kali Linux / Ubuntu)
• IDS Engine: Snort
• Network: Local network monitoring
• Tools Used: Snort, command-line interface

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What I Did

1. Snort Installation

• Installed Snort IDS on Linux system
• Verified installation and dependencies
• Configured network interface for monitoring

2. Configuration

• Configured Snort configuration file (ids.conf)
• Set up network variables (HOME_NET, EXTERNAL_NET)
• Configured output plugins for alerts
• Loaded rule sets

3. Rule Configuration

• Reviewed default Snort rules
• Customized rules for specific use cases
• Tested rule syntax and logic

4. Testing & Validation

• Tested IDS with sample traffic
• Verified alert generation
• Validated rule effectiveness

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Evidence / Screenshots

Configuration files and scripts are available in:

• configs/ids.conf - Snort configuration
• scripts/install_snort.sh - Installation script

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Findings

IDS Capabilities

1. Network Monitoring:

   • Snort monitors network traffic in real-time
   • Can operate in inline or passive mode
   • Supports multiple network interfaces

2. Rule-Based Detection:

   • Uses signature-based detection
   • Custom rules can be created for specific threats
   • Rule syntax allows for complex pattern matching

3. Alert Generation:

   • Generates alerts for matched rules
   • Supports multiple output formats (console, file, database)
   • Alert severity levels can be configured

Configuration Highlights

• Network Variables: Defined internal and external networks
• Rule Sets: Loaded community and custom rules
• Output: Configured alert logging

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Outcome

In a Real SOC Scenario:

1. Threat Detection:

   • IDS would monitor network traffic continuously
   • Alerts would be sent to SIEM for correlation
   • Analysts would investigate alerts based on severity

2. Incident Response:

   • IDS alerts trigger investigation workflows
   • Network traffic analysis helps identify attack patterns
   • Rules can be tuned based on false positive rates

3. Security Posture:

   • IDS provides visibility into network activity
   • Helps detect known attack signatures
   • Complements firewall and other security controls

Actions Taken:

• ✅ Installed and configured Snort IDS
• ✅ Created configuration files
• ✅ Documented setup process
• ✅ Prepared for rule customization

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Lessons Learned

• IDS vs. IPS: Understanding the difference between detection and prevention
• Rule Management: Effective rules require tuning and maintenance
• False Positives: Balancing detection sensitivity with false positive rates
• Network Visibility: IDS provides valuable network traffic insights
• Integration: IDS alerts should integrate with SIEM for correlation

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Tools & Resources

• Snort Documentation: snort.org
• Snort Rules: Community and subscription rule sets
• Installation Script: scripts/install_snort.sh

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Related Projects

• Log Analysis - SIEM log analysis
• Wireshark Packet Capture - Network traffic analysis
• Firewall Setup - Network security controls
• SOC Casefiles - Incident investigation examples

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Future Improvements

• Deploy Suricata as alternative IDS engine
• Integrate IDS alerts with SIEM platform
• Create custom rules for specific threat scenarios
• Set up automated rule updates
• Implement IDS alert tuning and optimization

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Note: This lab demonstrates IDS deployment and configuration skills. In production, IDS systems require ongoing tuning, rule updates, and integration with security operations workflows.