What does a salami attack typically involve?

A salami attack typically involves committing crimes in small increments, which is the essence of the term "salami" – slicing off thin pieces from a larger whole without attracting attention. In this context, an attacker makes numerous small fraudulent transactions or manipulations, each of which might seem insignificant on its own, but collectively can result in significant loss or harm.

This approach is particularly dangerous because it can evade detection for a longer period. For example, instead of stealing a large sum of money from a bank account at once, an attacker might siphon off a very small amount repeatedly over time. Each individual transaction is below the threshold that might raise alarms, but cumulatively, they can add up to a substantial amount that is difficult for the organization to notice right away.

Other options describe different types of security breaches or tactics. Manipulating large amounts of data at once could be more overt and easier to detect. Bundling several attacks into a single incident suggests a coordinated series of attacks but does not align with the stealthy incremental nature of a salami attack. Setting traps for unauthorized access typically speaks to interception or exploitation techniques rather than the gradual theft approach characterizing salami attacks.