What type of attack is characterized by overwhelming a computer system to disrupt service?

The characterization of an attack that overwhelms a computer system to disrupt its service aligns precisely with a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. In this type of attack, multiple systems are typically used to flood a target system with excessive traffic, rendering it unable to respond to legitimate requests. This tactic aims to make the system or service unavailable to its intended users, effectively causing disruption.

DDoS attacks exploit the resources of the target system, such as bandwidth, memory, and processing power. By overwhelming these resources, the attack can lead to significant downtime or degradation of service, making it a serious threat for businesses and organizations that rely on their online presence for operational effectiveness.

In contrast, phishing, malware, and identity theft pertain to different methods of cybercrime. Phishing involves deceitful attempts to gather sensitive information from unsuspecting users, malware refers to malicious software designed to infiltrate and harm systems, and identity theft involves the wrongful acquisition and use of someone’s personal information. These do not primarily focus on disrupting service but rather on stealing information or causing harm to systems in different ways.