Which statement describes the main difference between an IDS and an IPS?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement describes the main difference between an IDS and an IPS?

The main difference is whether the system only watches and alerts or also acts to block threats. An IDS monitors traffic, analyzes it for signs of intrusion, and raises alerts for admins to respond—no direct traffic control. An IPS sits in line with the traffic path and can automatically block or drop malicious packets in real time, in addition to alerting. That combination—detecting, alerting, and preventing—is what makes the statement about an IDS versus an IPS the best description. The other options misstate capabilities (block/prevention, or system type) or emphasize detection methods that aren’t the defining distinction.

The main difference is whether the system only watches and alerts or also acts to block threats. An IDS monitors traffic, analyzes it for signs of intrusion, and raises alerts for admins to respond—no direct traffic control. An IPS sits in line with the traffic path and can automatically block or drop malicious packets in real time, in addition to alerting. That combination—detecting, alerting, and preventing—is what makes the statement about an IDS versus an IPS the best description. The other options misstate capabilities (block/prevention, or system type) or emphasize detection methods that aren’t the defining distinction.

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