Denial-of-service attack - GCSE Computer Science Definition

A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a computer network or website, making it unavailable to users. This is achieved by overwhelming the targeted system with an excessive amount of requests or data, causing the network or server to become slow or even crash. For students studying GCSE Computer Science, understanding DoS attacks is crucial as they demonstrate how vulnerabilities in online systems can be exploited. These attacks highlight the importance of network security measures to ensure that services remain accessible and functional, despite potential threats.