DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service)

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is when multiple computers, often compromised by hackers, send an overwhelming amount of traffic to a website or online service. This flood of requests can cause the site to slow down or crash, making it unavailable to legitimate users. It’s like having a crowd of people swarm a store, blocking real customers from entering. DDoS attacks can disrupt businesses, cause financial losses, and can be carried out for various reasons, including protests, extortion, or simply for malicious fun. They highlight the vulnerabilities in internet infrastructure and the importance of cybersecurity.