CloudFlare blocks an average of 70 billion cyber threats per day. It’s used by companies with huge online presences like Shopify and Reddit. This means that Cloudflare can make a substantial difference in preventing a cybersecurity nightmare for your business. But what is CloudFlare exactly and how can it improve your website?
What is CloudFlare?
First of all, CloudFlare works like software, but it’s a network, and one of the biggest currently on the internet. It helps websites and apps run faster and more securely. CloudFlare provides content and other services via what’s called an edge network.
CloudFlare has more than 200 data centres across the world, and there’s likely to be one located close to you. By being close to you and using some clever technology, CloudFlare allows you to browse and download sites much faster than you normally would with a traditional server. A faster website makes the user experience (UX) that much more seamless.
CloudFlare also has a primary function in protecting users from malicious activity like DDoS attacks, malicious bots, and other nefarious intrusions. That means it can keep your website, your business and your customers safer from crashes, data leaks (of sensitive personal information) and more.
Do all Eightball websites have CloudFlare as part of their hosting?
All new websites from Eightball Media come with CloudFlare. This is a bonus add-on that comes with our hosting. Should we find that we can’t add CloudFlare to your website (due to customisations or restrictions outside our control), we will provide alternative security solutions.
The standard CloudFlare options are applied to new Eightball Media hosted websites. If you have a more complex website than usual (requiring higher levels of security or management), a more advanced subscription level of CloudFlare might apply. This would involve an additional investment, but opting for this level of protection is 100% your decision to make.
What is a ransom-DDoS attack and how does CloudFlare block it?
A ransom DDoS (RDDoS) attack is when a malicious party attempts to extort money from an individual or organisation. They threaten with what is known as a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.
This type of attack involves overwhelming a system with a massive amount of data with the intention of crashing it. CloudFlare is able to intercept and protect from these types of attacks. Websites running with CloudFlare are protected against DDoS attacks of any size and kind.
There’s even an Under Attack Mode for when you know the site is currently experiencing a major attack, to perform additional security checks. CloudFlare does also have different subscription plans, incorporating various add-ons and features that can allow it to perform even more granular checks, among many other things.
CloudFlare can offer even more protection beyond your website with the Magic Transit option. This allows you to extend the CloudFlare protection to assets beyond your website.
CloudFlare’s many other benefits
CloudFlare is especially beneficial in improving performance when there are unprecedented spikes in your website traffic. Apart from attacks, this can happen if you run an advertising campaign or people look for important COVID-19 updates in relation to your business.
Customers around the world use CloudFlare for several applications and purposes related to speed and reliability. It can also be used to build a private cloud network, which is typically something that web developers, in particular, will appreciate.
How can I find out more information?
For more information on CloudFlare, you can visit the official website.
