How does a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack differ from a typical DoS attack?

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is characterized by the use of multiple compromised systems, often spread across various geographical locations, to target a single system or resource. This distributed nature allows DDoS attacks to amplify their impact significantly compared to a typical Denial of Service (DoS) attack, which usually originates from a single source. By drawing on numerous computers, a DDoS attack can overwhelm the targeted system with traffic and requests simultaneously, making it far more difficult for the target to defend against or mitigate the attack.

The resulting volume of traffic from multiple sources complicates the target's ability to distinguish between legitimate users and the attackers. This saturation can lead to system crashes, application unavailability, and degradation of services. Thus, the use of a multitude of compromised systems is crucial in differentiating DDoS attacks from standard DoS attacks.

Options discussing the attack's execution over local networks or suggesting minimal impact are inaccurate as they misrepresent the nature and severity of DDoS attacks. Additionally, a statement claiming that a DDoS attack uses only one source contradicts the fundamental principle of a DDoS attack, which relies on multiple compromised systems to increase the intensity and effectiveness of the attack.