What characterizes a DDoS attack?

A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is characterized by overwhelming a targeted system, service, or network with an excessive amount of traffic. This is typically accomplished by multiple compromised computers, often forming a botnet, that send a flood of requests or data packets to the target. The intent is to exhaust the target's resources, such as bandwidth, processing power, or memory, ultimately rendering it unable to respond to legitimate users, leading to a denial of service. The attack may appear as a normal traffic spike, but the sheer volume causes disruption and can bring services to a standstill.

In contrast, the other choices describe different types of attacks or malicious activities.

For example, the option that references encrypting data for ransom pertains to ransomware attacks, where attackers encrypt files and demand payment for their decryption. The option related to physically damaging hardware describes scenarios such as sabotage or attacks designed to cause physical harm, which is not typical of DDoS attacks. Lastly, infiltrating networks for data theft describes a different approach, commonly associated with cyber intrusions or data breaches, where the primary goal is to access sensitive information rather than incapacitating services.

Overall, the nature of DDoS attacks is specifically focused on overwhelming services with