Explain what a DDoS attack entails.

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack 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 accomplished by utilizing multiple compromised computer systems as sources of traffic, often referred to as a "botnet." These systems can include personal computers, IoT devices, or servers that have been infected with malware, allowing the attacker to coordinate a massive amount of requests to the target, rendering it unable to respond to legitimate traffic.

The key characteristic of a DDoS attack is its distributed nature, meaning that the attack does not originate from a single source but from many different systems, making it more challenging to defend against. The goal is typically to make the targeted service unavailable to its users, causing disruptions, financial loss, and damage to the organization's reputation. Understanding this concept is critical within cybersecurity, as such attacks have become increasingly common and sophisticated in today's digital landscape.