Detecting and Classifying Attacks in Computer Networks Using Feed-Forward and Elman Neural Networks

Abstract

In this paper, we present an approach for detecting and classifying attacks in computer networks by using neural networks. Specifically, a design of an intruder detection system is presented to protect the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). We propose the use of an application-based model using neural networks to model properly non-linear data. The benefit of this perspective is to work directly on the causes of an attack, which are determined directly by the commands used in the protected application. The intruder detection system is designed by defining three different neural networks, which include two multi-layer feed-forward networks and the Elman recurrent network. The results reported in this paper show that the Elman recurrent network achieved a performance around ninety percent of good detection, which demonstrates the reliability of the designed system to detect and classify attacks in high-level network protocols.