Denial-of-service attack

Denial-of-service attack (DoS attack) is a cyber-attack in which the perpetrator seeks to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users by temporarily or indefinitely disrupting services of a host connected to the Internet. Denial of service is typically accomplished by flooding the targeted machine or resource with superfluous requests in an attempt to overload systems and prevent some or all legitimate requests from being fulfilled.

Quotes

• Whoever...5.(A)knowingly causes the transmission of a program, information, code, or command, and as a result of such conduct, intentionally causes damage without authorization, to a protected computer; (B)intentionally accesses a protected computer without authorization, and as a result of such conduct, recklessly causes damage; or(C)intentionally accesses a protected computer without authorization, and as a result of such conduct, causes damage and loss.
  • 18 U.S. Code § 1030.Fraud and related activity in connection with computers, Cornell Edu,

• Sixteen alleged members of Anonymous were arrested for their role in the PayPal DDoS, and could face more than 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. They were charged with conspiracy and “intentional damage to a protected computer” under the CFAA. The charge of intentional damage to a protected computer carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern District of California, Middle District of Florida, and the District of New Jersey. The Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section also has provided assistance. . The FBI thanks the multiple international, federal, and domestic law enforcement agencies who continue to support these operations.
  • FBI National Press Releases