DDOS-Guard and its controversial online protection

What is DDOS-Guard and what is it used for?

DDOS-Guard is a cybersecurity network specialized in defending against DDoS attacks, or Distributed Denial of Service. A DDoS attack occurs when thousands of infected devices or those controlled by hackers send simultaneous requests to a website, causing it to crash or become unreachable. DDOS-Guard acts as a shield: it filters incoming traffic and allows only legitimate connections to reach the server. In this way, even if the site is targeted, it remains online and functional.

How does DDOS-Guard work technically?

The DDOS-Guard network uses a distributed system of servers and nodes in various countries around the world. When a user visits a site protected by DDOS-Guard, their traffic does not go directly to the site's server, but first passes through DDOS-Guard's servers. These servers analyze the visitor's behavior: they check if the traffic is suspicious, if it comes from bots or from networks known for malicious activities. If everything is normal, the connection is forwarded to the actual site. In practice, DDOS-Guard acts as an intermediary between the visitor and the site, filtering every request and maintaining service stability even during large traffic spikes.

Who uses DDOS-Guard?

DDOS-Guard is used by companies, governments, and platforms that need to manage large volumes of traffic or are exposed to frequent attacks. However, the network has also become known for another reason: it has been adopted by sites and platforms with controversial or high-risk content, which are often excluded from more traditional services like Cloudflare or Google Cloud. Many sites with extreme political opinions, platforms for sharing banned content, or unmoderated forums have chosen DDOS-Guard precisely for its less restrictive policy and the robust protection it offers.

Why is DDOS-Guard associated with high-risk platforms?

The DDOS-Guard network does not filter the content of the sites it protects, only the traffic. This means it does not intervene on what is published or shared. For this reason, it has become a common choice for platforms that other providers refuse to host. Notable examples include far-right sites, disinformation portals, or platforms suspected of spreading illegal material. DDOS-Guard provides them with the same protection it offers to any other client, without delving into the content.

What criticisms are directed at DDOS-Guard?

Many cybersecurity experts and defenders of digital rights have criticized DDOS-Guard for its lack of transparency. It is not always clear where the servers are located, who manages the data, or how user information is treated. Additionally, by protecting sites deemed dangerous or illegal, DDOS-Guard often finds itself at the center of controversies: on one hand, it defends freedom of speech, while on the other, it risks providing refuge to harmful content.

Where is DDOS-Guard based and who manages it?

DDOS-Guard is a company based in Russia, although it has previously had registered legal offices in other countries. Its origin and international management make it difficult to determine the legal jurisdiction in case of abuses. This factor has fueled suspicions and controversies, especially when some sites banned by Western providers have found refuge in its servers.

What are the alternatives to DDOS-Guard?

The most common alternatives to DDOS-Guard are services like Cloudflare, Akamai, Fastly, and Imperva. These companies offer advanced DDoS protection systems but have stricter policies on the content they agree to protect. Many sites that are expelled from Cloudflare, for example for incitement to hatred or disinformation, end up choosing DDOS-Guard as a last resort.

How does DDoS protection work in simple terms?

Imagine a website as a restaurant with few seats. If hundreds of people enter simultaneously to order, the staff cannot serve anyone. A DDoS attack works the same way: thousands of computers send requests to a server until it is blocked. DDOS-Guard acts like a security guard who lets in only real customers, blocking those trying to create confusion.

Does DDOS-Guard collect user data?

Like many online security services, DDOS-Guard analyzes traffic data in real-time to distinguish between real visitors and bots. According to its official policy, it does not store personal data of users, but only technical information such as IP addresses, response times, and suspicious behaviors. However, the lack of total transparency has led to doubts about the actual management of this information.

Why do some companies avoid DDOS-Guard?

Many international companies prefer not to use DDOS-Guard for image and legal compliance reasons. The association of the name DDOS-Guard with controversial or illegal sites can damage a brand's reputation. Additionally, the geographical location of the servers, partly in Russia, raises concerns related to data protection and international privacy.

What does DDOS-Guard represent in the online security landscape?

DDOS-Guard represents a paradox of the digital world: it is one of the most powerful defense tools and at the same time one of the most discussed. On one hand, it provides essential protection to thousands of legitimate sites. On the other, it allows the survival of platforms that many consider dangerous. Its role continues to be a topic of debate among cybersecurity experts, governments, and defenders of freedom of expression.