What characterizes informational traffic signatures?

Informational traffic signatures are characterized by traffic that appears suspicious but may not necessarily be harmful. This type of traffic is often analyzed for indicators that could suggest malicious intent, but the mere presence of certain patterns or behaviors does not confirm that the traffic is malicious. Instead, it may indicate benign activities that warrant further investigation.

The distinction is important in network defense, as it allows security personnel to focus their attention on potentially harmful traffic while not automatically labeling all unusual patterns as threats. By identifying this type of traffic, organizations can enhance their threat detection capabilities without creating unnecessary alarm or investigating every instance of unusual activity.

In contrast to the other options, not all suspicious traffic is malicious (which rules out the first option). The third option, which refers to encrypted traffic, does not necessarily align with informational signatures since such traffic could be benign or harmful, depending on its context. Lastly, the fourth option is too limiting; while some suspicious traffic can occur over wireless connections, informational signatures can exist across various transmission mediums, not just wireless.