Which of the following best describes a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack?

A distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack is best described as a coordinated attack from multiple compromised devices. This type of attack involves overwhelming a target system, such as a website or server, with a flood of internet traffic from numerous sources. By using many devices, often part of a botnet, attackers can effectively amplify the amount of traffic directed at a target, making it difficult for legitimate traffic to reach the system.

The distributed nature of this attack means that it can come from various geographic locations and is challenging to mitigate, as the incoming requests are not easily distinguishable from legitimate users. This makes DDoS attacks particularly disruptive and dangerous, as they can lead to significant downtime and service interruptions for businesses and organizations. Understanding the nature of DDoS attacks is crucial for implementing effective cybersecurity measures to safeguard against them.