What is the definition of DoS?

Denial of Service (DoS) refers to a type of cyber attack that aims to make a network service unavailable to its intended users. The primary method used in such attacks is to overwhelm a system or service with a flood of illegitimate requests, which exhausts its resources and prevents it from responding to legitimate users. This can lead to downtime for websites or services, causing disruption and potential financial loss.

The concept of DoS is critical in understanding cybersecurity threats, as it highlights how attackers can exploit system vulnerabilities to disrupt operations. Recognizing DoS attacks is essential for IT professionals when implementing security measures to protect systems and maintain uptime and reliability for users.

The other terms, while potentially relevant in specific contexts, do not accurately describe the concept of Denial of Service as it is understood in the domain of cybersecurity.