What is an API DDoS attack and how does it differ from a traditional DDoS?

An API DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack targets Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) – the interfaces that allow different software systems to communicate. Unlike traditional DDoS attacks that flood a server with traffic, API DDoS attacks specifically overwhelm an API endpoint, often by sending a large volume of requests, exploiting vulnerabilities, or leveraging botnets to target specific API functionalities. This can lead to service disruptions, slow response times, and ultimately, denial of access for legitimate users.