Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Fundamentals (SECFND, legacy) — Question 50

What best describes a DoS attack?

Answer options

• A. attempts to consume all of a critical computer or network resource in order to make it unavailable for valid use
• B. poses as legitimate software or email attachment in order to launch a malicious attack when opened
• C. can steal data such as user names and passwords without the user realizing that they have been compromised
• D. rarely seen because DoS attacks are extremely difficult to engineer and almost impossible to deliver

Correct answer: A

Explanation

Option A is correct because a DoS attack aims to overload a system's resources, making it unavailable for legitimate users. Options B and C describe different types of attacks, such as phishing and malware, which do not align with the definition of a DoS attack. Option D is incorrect as DoS attacks are quite common and can be executed using various methods, making them relatively straightforward to conduct.