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.
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.