What is the key characteristic of a DDoS attack?

A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is characterized by its use of multiple, often compromised, devices to overwhelm a target system with traffic. This large-scale approach distinguishes it from other types of attacks that might originate from a single source. By utilizing many computers, the attacker can generate significant traffic that disrupts the normal functioning of the target network, service, or website.

This distributed nature not only amplifies the volume of incoming requests but also makes it more challenging to mitigate the attack, as traffic originates from many different locations. In comparison, attacks that focus on breaching individual user accounts or target unprotected networks may involve different strategies and do not share the same hallmark of widespread participation by multiple systems. Therefore, the correct answer captures the essence of what makes DDoS attacks particularly severe and efficient in causing disruptions.