Definition:
A false positive occurs when a security system incorrectly identifies benign activity as malicious, triggering an alert or blocking a legitimate action.
Use Cases:
- Used to describe scenarios where an intrusion detection system (IDS) flags normal network activity as a threat.
- Employed in antivirus software when it mistakenly identifies legitimate files as malware.
Related Terms:
Questions and Answers:
- What causes false positives in security systems?
False positives can result from overly strict detection rules, poorly configured systems, or legitimate activity that resembles malicious behavior.
- What are the consequences of false positives?
False positives can lead to wasted time investigating harmless incidents, decreased productivity, and system disruptions.
- How can false positives be reduced?
False positives can be reduced by fine-tuning detection rules, using better threat intelligence, and improving system configuration.