Coordinated attack from multiple sources overwhelming systems with traffic to cause service outages.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks use many compromised computers (a botnet) to flood targets with traffic simultaneously. The distributed nature makes DDoS far harder to defend than single-source attacks—you can't simply block one IP address. Modern DDoS attacks can generate enormous traffic volumes and employ multiple attack types simultaneously. Targets range from small businesses to major enterprises and critical infrastructure. DDoS mitigation services that can absorb and filter attack traffic are often necessary for protection.
Why It Matters
The DSC Perspective:
DDoS attacks are increasingly used for extortion, competitive sabotage, and hacktivism. Any organisation with internet-facing services should assess their DDoS risk and consider mitigation services for critical systems.