A DDoS Attack (Distributed Denial of Service) is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic. This is often done using a network of compromised computers, known as a botnet, which sends a massive amount of requests to the target, making it unable to respond to legitimate users. These attacks can cause significant downtime and financial loss for businesses and organizations. They are often used by hackers to extort money or to make a political statement. Protecting against DDoS attacks involves using various security measures, such as firewalls and traffic analysis tools.