Which attack is characterized by sending multiple requests to a server to exhaust its resources?

The attack characterized by sending multiple requests to a server in order to exhaust its resources is known as a Denial of Service (DoS) attack. This type of attack aims to make a service unavailable to its intended users by overwhelming the server with excessive requests or traffic, which can lead to the depletion of network bandwidth or server resources. As a result, legitimate users may experience slow performance or complete inaccessibility to the targeted service.

In a DoS attack, the attacker does not typically need sophisticated technical skills; they exploit the inherent limitations of the targeted server or network. Such attacks can severely disrupt operations and lead to significant downtime, especially for organizations that rely heavily on their online presence.

While other attack types, such as cross-site scripting, brute force, and injection attacks, target different vulnerabilities or employ different techniques, they do not focus on overwhelming server resources in the same manner as a Denial of Service attack. This distinction is critical in understanding the various cyber threats and securing systems against them effectively.