DDoS is more like everyone buying all the toilet paper all at once.
I would say its more akin to one malicious actor ordering a bunch of zombies to wander into a store, buy a roll of tolietpaper, walk over to the return counter, get a refund, and then go back to buy a roll of toilet paper, with the intent of clogging all the check out counters indefinitely.
But the root difference is that a DDoS exists to obstruct traffic not to perform a legitimate function. A bunch of people clearing the shelves of supplies before a storm are still intent on obtaining the things. Their traffic is legitimate, not an attempt to deny other people access to the store by spoofing serious interactions.
I would say its more akin to one malicious actor ordering a bunch of zombies to wander into a store, buy a roll of tolietpaper, walk over to the return counter, get a refund, and then go back to buy a roll of toilet paper, with the intent of clogging all the check out counters indefinitely.
But the root difference is that a DDoS exists to obstruct traffic not to perform a legitimate function. A bunch of people clearing the shelves of supplies before a storm are still intent on obtaining the things. Their traffic is legitimate, not an attempt to deny other people access to the store by spoofing serious interactions.
Ah, okay, understood. That small distinction makes all the difference.
A DDoS attack on a street would be a protest with a march
Perhaps you’re thinking of a picket line during a strike? But a parade isn’t tranditionally considered a hostile act.