The correct statement about the prevention of immune attack on self is that the immune system has mechanisms in place, such as central and peripheral tolerance, to distinguish between self and non-self antigens. Central tolerance occurs during T and B cell development to eliminate self-reactive lymphocytes, while peripheral tolerance mechanisms like regulatory T cells help control any self-reactive immune responses that may develop later. Dysfunction in these tolerance mechanisms can lead to autoimmune diseases where the immune system attacks self antigens.