CompTIA CySA+ Practice Test

What does the presence of a high volume of requests to a server suggest in a cybersecurity scenario?

1. A potential denial of service attack

2. Increased legitimate user traffic

3. System malfunction due to outdated software

4. Successful marketing campaigns

The correct answer is: A potential denial of service attack

A high volume of requests to a server can indicate a potential denial of service (DoS) attack. This type of attack aims to overwhelm the server with excessive requests, rendering legitimate user requests impossible to process. When traffic spikes significantly beyond normal operational levels, particularly in a short time frame, it raises a red flag for cybersecurity professionals monitoring server health and traffic patterns. While increased legitimate user traffic could cause a surge in requests, it usually correlates with expected patterns or spikes during known events, such as promotions or product launches. Similarly, system malfunctions and successful marketing campaigns might increase traffic but would not typically manifest as a sudden, uncharacteristic high volume of requests indicative of a coordinated attack. In contrast, the rapid and unexplained increase in requests is a strong indicator of potential malicious activity, making the identification of a DoS attack the most relevant consideration in this context.