Host-based intrusion-detection is the art of detecting malicious activity within a single computer. A host-based intrusion detection system (HIDS) uses host log information, system activity, and scanners such as virus scanners to determine whether a computer host is being used for illegitimate purposes. HIDS may be local to the protected host, remote (via syslogd, etc), or part of a distributed intrusion detection system.

See also: Network intrusion detection system