An HTTP denial of service (DoS) attack is a type of cyber attack where a large number of fake or malicious web requests are sent to a server, overwhelming its capacity to respond to legitimate requests. This causes the server to temporarily or permanently crash, rendering it unavailable to users. The attack can be carried out using automated programs and is often aimed at high-profile targets, such as government agencies, financial institutions, and large corporations. This type of attack is designed to disrupt the normal functioning of a website or service and can result in significant financial losses, reputational damage, and business disruptions.