Legal Definitions - denial-of-service attack

A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack is a malicious attempt to make a computer system, network resource, or website unavailable to its intended users. This is typically achieved by overwhelming the target with a flood of traffic or requests, or by exploiting a vulnerability to force it to crash or malfunction, thereby preventing legitimate users from accessing the service.

• Example 1: Disrupting an Online Ticket Sale

  Imagine a popular music artist announces a limited-time online ticket sale. A competitor or a disgruntled individual could launch a DoS attack by repeatedly sending an enormous number of fake requests to the ticketing website's server. This surge of artificial traffic would overwhelm the server, making it impossible for legitimate fans to access the site, select seats, or complete their purchases, effectively shutting down the sale.

• Example 2: Disabling a Small Business's E-commerce Site

  A small online boutique relies on its website to process orders. An attacker could identify a specific weakness in the website's server software and repeatedly send a malformed request designed to exploit that flaw. This could cause the server to crash or freeze, preventing customers from browsing products or making purchases for an extended period, directly impacting the business's revenue and reputation.

A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack is a more sophisticated form of a DoS attack. Instead of using a single source, a DDoS attack leverages multiple compromised computer systems—often referred to as a "botnet"—to flood the target with traffic. Each individual compromised computer sends a small amount of traffic, but when thousands or millions of these machines attack simultaneously, the combined volume can easily overwhelm even robust systems, making them inaccessible.

• Example 1: Overwhelming a Major News Outlet During a Breaking Story

  During a significant global event, a major online news organization's website experiences a massive surge in legitimate traffic. Simultaneously, a malicious group launches a DDoS attack, using a network of thousands of infected personal computers and IoT devices worldwide. These compromised machines all simultaneously try to access the news site, creating an insurmountable volume of traffic that crashes the servers, preventing millions of readers from accessing critical updates.

• Example 2: Disrupting an Online Learning Platform During Exams

  A university's online learning platform is crucial for students to access course materials and take exams. An attacker could orchestrate a DDoS attack by infecting numerous computers in different locations with malware, turning them into a botnet. On the day of a major online exam, all these compromised machines simultaneously bombard the university's learning platform with requests, causing it to slow down dramatically or become completely unresponsive. This prevents students from logging in, accessing their exams, or submitting their work, causing widespread disruption and stress.

• Example 3: Targeting a Financial Institution's Online Services

  A large bank offers online banking services, allowing customers to manage accounts, transfer funds, and pay bills. A criminal organization might launch a DDoS attack against the bank's online portal using a vast botnet. The sheer volume of simultaneous, malicious requests from thousands of compromised computers worldwide would overwhelm the bank's servers, making it impossible for legitimate customers to log in, access their accounts, or conduct any transactions. This not only causes inconvenience but can also erode customer trust and potentially lead to financial losses.