Computer Intrusion: Detecting Masquerades

TLDR

Masqueraders are users who exploit others’ computer accounts. The study evaluates statistical methods for detecting masqueraders. The authors collected UNIX command logs from 50 users, introduced masquerader activity, and conducted a blinded evaluation. Results from six detection methods, including two from computer science, are presented.

Abstract

Masqueraders in computer intrusion detection are people who use somebody else’s computer account. We investigate a number of statistical approaches for detecting masqueraders. To evaluate them, we collected UNIX command data from 50 users and then contaminated the data with masqueraders. The experiment was blinded. We show results from six methods, including two approaches from the computer science community.