[heleny]

John and Ken also coordinated a denial-of-service attack against the Department of Homeland Security's communications.

It would be a DOS attack if J&K had a computer constantly sending useless data or requests that occupied the DHS servers to prevent real people from calling or connecting to those servers.

When individual people (not automatic machines) choose to call with individual concerns, why is that a DOS attack?

[Poohbah]

It would be a DOS attack if J&K had a computer constantly sending useless data or requests that occupied the DHS servers to prevent real people from calling or connecting to those servers.

A relative few malcontents making obscenity-filled phone calls to a few phone numbers fits the definition of "constantly sending useless data." I've heard about some of the calls. Asa should've played them on the air.

When individual people (not automatic machines) choose to call with individual concerns, why is that a DOS attack?

Because it denies service.