What does DDoS stand for in the context of cyber threats?

DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service, which is a type of cyber threat involving multiple systems attacking a single target, typically a server or a network, with the intent to overwhelm it and render it unavailable to legitimate users. In a DDoS attack, the attacker uses a network of compromised devices, often referred to as a botnet, to flood the target with excessive traffic, leading to potential downtime or significant degradation of service.

This method is especially effective because it utilizes a distributed approach, making it challenging to mitigate since the incoming traffic originates from numerous sources. Recognizing this term and understanding its implications is crucial for cloud security and network management, as organizations need to implement defenses against such attacks to ensure availability and maintain service reliability for users.