Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

David's attack involved using a botnet to launch a DDoS attack. What does DDoS stand for?

1. Distributed Denial of Service

2. Direct Denial of Service

3. Distributed Data Service

4. Dynamic Denial of Service

The correct answer is: Distributed Denial of Service

DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service. This term is used to describe a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of traffic. In a DDoS attack, the traffic is generated from multiple compromised computer systems, which make up the botnet. This distributed approach makes it more challenging to thwart the attack, as the incoming traffic originates from many different sources rather than just one. The pattern of distributing the attack allows the perpetrator to cast a wider net and utilize the power of numerous machines—often unwittingly compromised by malware—to carry out the attack. This is distinct from other forms of denial of service attacks, which may originate from a single source. Understanding the nature of DDoS attacks is essential for both defensive strategies and for recognizing the scale and complexity often associated with such cyber threats.