What does DDoS stand for?

DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service. This term describes a malicious attack where multiple systems are used to flood a target server or network with an overwhelming amount of traffic, rendering it unable to respond to legitimate requests. The "distributed" aspect refers to the involvement of numerous compromised devices, often part of a botnet, working in concert to execute the attack. This makes it significantly more challenging to mitigate, as the attack traffic originates from multiple sources rather than a single point, complicating the identification and filtering of malicious requests.

Understanding the nature of DDoS attacks is crucial for cybersecurity professionals, as they require different strategies for prevention and response compared to other forms of cyber threats. Recognizing that DDoS is centered around overwhelming a service emphasizes the need for robust network defenses and traffic management strategies to maintain service availability for legitimate users.