What does a Smurf Attack specifically target?

A Smurf Attack specifically targets broadcast networks by exploiting the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP). In this type of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, the attacker sends ICMP Echo Request packets (commonly known as pings) to the broadcast address of a subnet. Each device on that subnet responds to the ping, creating a massive amount of traffic directed towards the target network's IP address.

The use of the broadcast address amplifies the attack, as a single request can result in replies from multiple devices, overwhelming the target with traffic and causing denial of service. This makes broadcast networks particularly vulnerable to Smurf Attacks, as they can easily be flooded with responses, leading to network congestion and disruption of legitimate services. Understanding the nature of such attacks is crucial for implementing effective network security and mitigation strategies.