A denial-of-service (DoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of traffic. This excessive traffic can prevent legitimate users from accessing the service, leading to downtime and potential financial loss for businesses. There are various methods to execute a DoS attack, including sending numerous requests to a server or exploiting vulnerabilities in software. In some cases, attackers may use a network of compromised devices, known as a botnet, to amplify the attack's impact, making it harder to mitigate and defend against.