Provided are methods, network devices, and computer-program products for dynamically configuring a deception mechanism in response to network traffic from a possible network threat. In various implementations, a network deception system can receive a packet from a network. The network deception system can determine an intent associated with the packet by examining the contents of the packet. The network deception system can further configure a deception mechanism to respond to the intent, for example with the appropriate network communications, software or hardware configuration, and/or data.