Which type of attack does tailgating typically refer to?

Tailgating refers to the practice of an unauthorized individual gaining access to a restricted area by closely following an authorized person through a secure entry point, such as a door or turnstile. This type of physical intrusion exploits trust and social norms, relying on the assumption that the authorized person is allowing access to someone who may not have legitimate authorization.

In this context, tailgating highlights the importance of security awareness and physical security measures in protecting sensitive areas. It emphasizes the potential vulnerabilities in physical security where individuals may inadvertently grant access to malicious actors simply by not being vigilant. Other options, such as phishing, denial of service attacks, and malware attacks, primarily pertain to cybersecurity and do not involve the physical aspect of unauthorized access. Thus, recognizing tailgating as a type of physical intrusion is vital for understanding the comprehensive nature of security threats.