False Positive

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:

• Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
• Security Alert
• Incident Response
• Threat Intelligence
  
  

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.