Glossary: What is a DDoS Attack?

A DDoS attack overwhelms servers with traffic, causing downtime and disruptions. Learn how to prevent these cyber threats.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) What is a DDoS Attack? A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a cyberattack that overwhelms a server, network, or website with excessive traffic from multiple sources, causing it to become unavailable. Explanation DDoS attacks are typically executed using botnets—networks of infected devices controlled by an attacker. These attacks disrupt normal operations and can lead to significant downtime and revenue loss for businesses. Practical Example of a DDoS Attack A malicious actor launches a DDoS attack on an e-commerce platform during a major sale event, rendering the website inaccessible to legitimate customers.