Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which type of attack involves sending a broadcast to all computers on a network to overwhelm them?

1. Flood attack

2. Vishing attack

3. Social engineering

4. Brute force attack

The correct answer is: Flood attack

The type of attack that involves sending a broadcast to all computers on a network to overwhelm them is known as a flood attack. This method aims to consume the resources of the target network, often by sending a large volume of data packets or requests. As the target systems struggle to process the excessive traffic, legitimate users may experience slowdowns or complete service disruptions. Flood attacks typically exploit network protocols, sending more traffic than the network can handle, leading to what's known as a Denial of Service (DoS). In this scenario, the attacker can create a situation where network resources become unavailable to legitimate users, compromising the overall functionality and reliability of network services. Understanding flood attacks is crucial in the context of cybersecurity, as they highlight the importance of implementing robust network defenses, including firewalls and traffic monitoring systems, to mitigate such threats effectively.