What is a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack?

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) is a type of cyberattack intended to overwhelm a targeted system, network, or service by flooding it with a massive volume of incoming traffic or requests. DDoS attacks disrupt the normal functioning of a system, rendering it unavailable to legitimate users. Attackers frequently orchestrate DDoS attacks employing botnets or networks of compromised devices, resulting in service interruptions, financial losses, or reputational damage for the targeted organizations.