Definition
Network and client attacks encompass a broad range of malicious activities targeting the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of computer networks and the devices that connect to them. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in network infrastructure, protocols, or end-user devices to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or disrupt services. Understanding these threats is crucial for maintaining secure cloud environments and protecting sensitive information from compromise. For instance, a phishing attack, a common client-side threat, tricks users into revealing credentials that attackers then use to infiltrate a network. This differs from purely network-based attacks like a denial-of-service (DoS) assault which floods a network with traffic to make it inaccessible. Knowledge of network and client attacks is fundamental for cloud security professionals and appears on exams like the CCSP and AWS Certified Security Specialty.