What is a 'DDoS attack'?

• A. A type of malware that alters system functions
• B. A Distributed Denial of Service attack meant to disrupt normal server operations
• C. A method of encrypting data on a network
• D. A security measure to protect against unauthorized access

Answer: (B)

A DDoS attack, or Distributed Denial of Service attack, is designed to overwhelm a target system, typically a server or network, by inundating it with a massive amount of traffic from multiple sources. This flood of traffic can cause the system to become slow or completely unresponsive, thus disrupting normal operations. The "distributed" aspect refers to the use of numerous compromised systems, often part of a botnet, to launch the attack, making it more difficult to mitigate since the traffic comes from many different locations.

In contrast, the other options describe different concepts that do not align with the nature of a DDoS attack. For example, malware refers to harmful software used to alter, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, while methods of encrypting data focus on securing data rather than disrupting services. Likewise, security measures protect against unauthorized access, which is unrelated to the intent or execution of a DDoS attack, where the goal is to deny legitimate users access to a service.