Which type of detection provides a higher certainty by matching with known malware?

Signature-based detection provides a higher certainty by matching with known malware because it relies on a database of known malware signatures. Each piece of malware has unique characteristics or signatures that can be reliably identified. When a file or program is scanned, signature-based detection tools check for these recognized patterns against their database. If a match is found, the system can confidently assert that the file is malicious.

This method is effective because it allows for quick identification of threats that have already been cataloged, providing a robust defense against well-documented malware. As such, it minimizes false positives and is a foundational approach in many antivirus solutions.

Other methods, such as behavior-based detection, monitor the actions of programs in real-time to identify suspicious activities, but they may not always accurately distinguish between benign and malicious behavior. SUS detection and HIPS detection also involve different mechanisms that do not exclusively rely on known signatures, which may lead to varying degrees of certainty compared to the definitive matching afforded by signature-based detection.