What is Cloudflare? How it Works and Why We Use It?

Why in News ?

Cloudflare has emerged as one of the most widely used platforms for website security, performance enhancement, and traffic optimisation. Understanding its role is essential due to its impact on global internet stability, cybersecurity, and digital business operations.

What is Cloudflare ?

Cloudflare is one of the world’s largest Content Delivery Network (CDN) and web security service providers, helping websites speed up loading times and defend against cyber threats.

Founded in 2009, Cloudflare initially focused on combating email spam but has since evolved into a major global cloud network that:

• Handles 32 million HTTP requests per second
• Powers services for over 12 million domains
• Manages nearly 10% of global internet traffic

Organisations worldwide—businesses, government services, bloggers, NGOs—use Cloudflare to secure and accelerate their online platforms.

Key Features of Cloudflare

1. DDoS Protection

Cloudflare blocks over 57 billion attacks per day, protecting websites, applications, and entire networks.

2. Global Load-Balanced CDN

A network of 200+ data centers ensures fast content delivery with no bottlenecks.

3. Static Content Caching

Edge servers store cached site data, reducing latency and speeding up access.

4. Argo Smart Routing

Uses intelligent routing algorithms to deliver traffic through the fastest routes globally.

5. Geo-Based Routing

Delivers content from servers closest to the user, improving speed and reliability.

6. Streaming Services

Provides simple, efficient, and cost-effective video streaming solutions.

7. Mobile Optimisation

Cloudflare Mirage optimizes images for mobile devices through virtualized, lazy-loaded content.

8. Argo Tunnel

Creates encrypted connections between the origin server and Cloudflare, hiding the server’s real IP.

9. Intelligent Threat Detection

Learns from global attack patterns and enhances protection for all sites using its network.

10. China Network

The only CDN with strong network presence inside China, enabling consistent performance there.

11. Advanced Analytics

Provides dashboards, custom insights, and GraphQL-based analytics for website traffic and cache performance.

How Cloudflare Works

Cloudflare acts as a protective gateway between the user and the website's server.

Process:

1. A user request is routed to Cloudflare’s global network.
2. Cloudflare analyses it for:
   • IP reputation
   • Browser type
   • Location
   • Volume of requests
3. Malicious or suspicious traffic is blocked.
4. Legitimate traffic is forwarded to the origin server.

When Cloudflare proxy is enabled:

• Your server's real IP remains hidden
• Attacks targeting server IPs get blocked
• Only filtered traffic reaches the origin

This significantly reduces server load and prevents downtime.

Why Use Cloudflare ?

• Free DNS service
• Free CDN with global availability
• Free SSL certificate for HTTPS websites
• Free DDoS protection
• Automatic content caching for faster loading
• Firewall rules to block bots, specific IPs, or countries
• Easy DNS import/export
• DNS-based load balancing (₹400/month approx) with:
  • Health monitoring
  • Automatic failover
  • Geolocation routing
• Manage multiple domains from one account
• No limits on DNS queries, even on free plans

Advantages of Cloudflare

• 200+ global data centers ensure high speed
• Comprehensive cybersecurity tools
• User-friendly dashboard
• Serves cached pages even when the origin is offline
• Free plan offers essential security and performance features
• Strong analytics and performance insights

Disadvantages of Cloudflare

• DNS zones must be managed through Cloudflare
• Only one SSL certificate level in free plans
• Advanced features require paid subscriptions