What type of attack involves overwhelming a server with too many requests?

The type of attack that involves overwhelming a server with too many requests is known as a DDoS, or Distributed Denial of Service attack. In a DDoS attack, multiple compromised systems, often part of a botnet, flood the target server with excessive traffic. This influx of requests can exhaust the server's resources, making it unable to respond to legitimate users, thereby disrupting the normal functioning of the website or application hosted on that server.

DDoS attacks can take various forms, including volumetric attacks that consume bandwidth, protocol attacks that exploit server resources, and application layer attacks that focus on specific applications. The primary goal is to render the server or service unavailable, creating service interruptions for users and potentially resulting in significant financial losses for businesses.

In contrast, phishing refers to attempts to acquire sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity, while brute-force attacks involve systematically guessing passwords until the correct one is found. Cross-site scripting (XSS) targets users by injecting malicious scripts into web pages, rather than overwhelming servers. Each of these attack types has different methodologies and targets, highlighting the importance of understanding distinct cybersecurity threats.