How does AWS handle DDoS attacks effectively?

AWS effectively handles DDoS attacks through the use of AWS Shield, which is a managed DDoS protection service specifically designed to protect applications hosted on AWS. AWS Shield offers two levels of protection: Shield Standard, which is automatically available to all AWS customers at no additional cost and provides protection against the most common types of DDoS attacks, and Shield Advanced, which offers more sophisticated detection and mitigation against larger and more complex attacks, along with additional features like real-time attack visibility and access to AWS DDoS Response Team (DRT) support.

By utilizing AWS Shield, organizations can automatically benefit from DDoS mitigation capabilities without having to deploy and manage their own solutions. This enhances the overall security posture of applications and ensures that they remain operational even in the face of attempted DDoS attacks, allowing for uninterrupted service and maintaining user trust.

The other options, while related to security aspects, do not specifically address the unique challenges posed by DDoS attacks in the manner that AWS Shield does. Firewalls may assist in filtering traffic, restricting access can improve security, and data encryption is crucial for protecting data integrity and confidentiality but does not provide the necessary DDoS protection and mitigation strategies that AWS Shield is designed to offer.