DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service. It is a type of cyber-attack where multiple compromised systems, often part of a botnet, flood a target server with traffic to disrupt its services. The primary aim is to overwhelm the server, making it unresponsive to legitimate users. DDoS attacks can target websites, networks, or applications, causing significant operational disruptions and financial losses. Organizations must incorporate robust security measures to mitigate these threats effectively.