DDoS Attack
Definition
A DDoS attack is a malicious cyberattack that aims to make an online service or network unavailable by overwhelming it with traffic from numerous distributed sources.
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack involves orchestrating a large number of compromised computers or devices, often referred to as a botnet, to simultaneously send requests to a target system. This deluge of traffic exhausts the target's resources, such as bandwidth, server processing power, or database connections, preventing legitimate users from accessing the service. Unlike a simple Denial of Service (DoS) attack, which typically originates from a single source, a DDoS attack leverages multiple points of origin, making it more difficult to mitigate by simply blocking one IP address.
For instance, a gaming company might face a DDoS attack that prevents players from logging into their online games.
This term is frequently encountered in discussions related to cybersecurity, network infrastructure management, and news reports concerning internet outages or service disruptions affecting websites, financial institutions, or government services.