"DDoS" stands for Distributed Denial of Service. It refers to a type of cyber attack where multiple systems are used to flood a target server or network with overwhelming traffic, rendering it unavailable to legitimate users. DDoS attacks can disrupt services, cause financial losses, and damage an organization's reputation. These attacks typically use botnets—networks of compromised devices—to carry out the assault, making them difficult to prevent and mitigate. As a result, DDoS protection measures are essential in cybersecurity strategies to maintain service availability.