Which of the following best describes signature-based detection?

Signature-based detection is a method commonly used in security systems, especially in intrusion detection and prevention systems, where it relies on a database of known threats. This involves matching incoming data packets or files against a predefined list of known malware signatures or attack patterns. When a match is found, the system can then take appropriate action, such as alerting administrators or blocking the identified threat. This approach is effective in recognizing and mitigating threats that have already been identified and cataloged in the signature database.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately define signature-based detection. Using threat intelligence to predict future attacks refers more to heuristic or behavioral detection methods that analyze potential threats based on their characteristics rather than established signatures. Automatically denying all incoming traffic would represent a more aggressive approach that does not specifically rely on matching against known threats, as it would block all traffic indiscriminately rather than assessing it. Analyzing behavior patterns over time involves behavior-based detection, which focuses on identifying anomalies and unusual activities rather than matching against a list of known threats.