Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Practice Exam

The identification of the Denial of Service attack as the correct answer stems from its fundamental purpose, which is to disrupt the normal functioning of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of traffic. This excessive traffic can exhaust the resources of the targeted system, rendering it unable to respond to legitimate requests, thereby denying service to proper users.

In contrast, phishing attacks primarily focus on tricking individuals into providing personal or sensitive information through deceitful means. SQL injection involves manipulating a database query by injecting malicious code into an input field, which can lead to data breaches but does not inherently involve overwhelming network traffic. Session hijacking is a technique where an attacker takes over a user session to gain unauthorized access to information, which is distinctly different from generating excessive traffic aimed at causing service disruption.

Understanding the specific mechanics and objectives of each type of attack is crucial in distinguishing Denial of Service attacks from other forms of cyber threats.