Legal Definitions - DoS attack

DoS attack stands for Denial-of-Service attack.

A DoS attack is a malicious attempt to make a computer system, network resource, or website unavailable to its intended users by overwhelming it with a flood of traffic or requests. The goal is to disrupt normal operations, preventing legitimate users from accessing services they expect to be available.

• Example 1: Online Retailer During a Sale

  Imagine a popular online clothing store launching a major holiday sale. A malicious actor, perhaps a competitor or a disgruntled individual, orchestrates a DoS attack by flooding the store's website with millions of fake requests per second. This overwhelming volume of traffic clogs the website's servers, causing them to crash or become extremely slow. As a result, legitimate customers trying to browse products or complete purchases are unable to access the site, missing out on the sale and causing significant financial losses for the retailer.

• Example 2: Critical Government Information Portal

  Consider a government agency's website that provides essential public services, such as information on emergency preparedness, tax filing deadlines, or passport renewal applications. If this portal experiences a DoS attack, it becomes inaccessible to citizens. For instance, during a natural disaster, if the emergency information section is targeted, people would be unable to access crucial safety guidelines or evacuation routes. This demonstrates how a DoS attack can prevent the public from accessing vital information and services, potentially with serious real-world consequences.

• Example 3: University's Online Learning Platform

  During final exam week, a university's online learning platform, which hosts quizzes, assignment submissions, and course materials, is targeted by a DoS attack. The attack floods the platform with so much traffic that students cannot log in, access their study guides, or submit their exams on time. This disruption prevents students from completing their academic responsibilities and accessing necessary educational resources, directly illustrating how a DoS attack denies legitimate users (the students) access to an essential service (the learning platform).