Denial of Service

A Denial of Service, or DoS attack as it is often abbreviated, occurs when something occurs that make an intended resource - usually a web site - unavailable to others. There are numerous methods someone may use in conducting a DoS attack, as are the motivations behind them. Some DoS attacks occur for a short period of time, or they may go on indefinitely. Other software vulnerabilities within web software, such as cross-site scripting, may be used to disguise the actual perpetrator behind an attack. Updating software wherein a DoS attack vulnerability has been detected is considered critical and should be performed as soon as possible to protect not only the site in question, but others that may be located on the same server.