What is the primary goal of Denial of Service (DoS) attacks?

The primary goal of Denial of Service (DoS) attacks is to prevent legitimate users from accessing computer resources. DoS attacks achieve this by overwhelming a target system, such as a server or network, with an excessive volume of requests or traffic. This can lead to the target being unable to process legitimate requests, resulting in service disruption or complete unavailability. The intent is often to frustrate users, harm business operations, or create chaos, reflecting a targeted approach to thwarting access rather than compromising data or stealing information.

Monitoring user activity without permission is more aligned with stealthy intrusion tactics, while encrypting user data and demanding a ransom refers to ransomware attacks. Similarly, stealing user credentials is associated with data breaches or identity theft, which are distinct from the objective of a DoS attack. Thus, the focus on hindering access makes the chosen answer the most accurate representation of a DoS attack's primary goal.