Which type of attack is characterized by flooding a network with an overwhelming amount of traffic from multiple sources?

The attack characterized by flooding a network with an overwhelming amount of traffic from multiple sources is referred to as a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. In a DDoS attack, multiple compromised computers, often part of a botnet, are used to send a huge volume of requests to the target server or network. This influx of traffic can overwhelm the capacity of the system, ultimately causing service disruptions or unavailability for legitimate users.

The nature of a DDoS attack lies in its distributed nature, where the traffic is sourced from various locations, making it significantly harder to defend against compared to a traditional Denial of Service (DoS) attack, which typically originates from a single source. The distinction is crucial because while both types aim to incapacitate a service, the distributed aspect of DDoS attacks can amplify their effectiveness and impact.

Understanding these types of attacks is essential for implementing effective cybersecurity measures, as they require different strategies for mitigation and prevention.