A blockchain startup is taking a novel approach to protecting people and organisations from damaging DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks

The Gladius Network is a blockchain-driven platform that allows users to rent out their spare bandwidth in order to help the company fight cybercrime. Users receive Gladius tokens for the use of their internet connection, which can be converted into other forms of currency at a later date.

DDoS occur when multiple computer systems are compromised and then used to attack a server or network resource. The aim is to flood the target with a huge stream of messages, connection requests or malformed packets, overload it and cause it to be unable to service legitimate users.

The system uses blockchain for a simple and systemised use and reward protocol, with the technology eliminating the need for the monthly payments that are a feature of most current cyber security software solutions.

Co-founder Max Niebylski, said:

“Gladius kills two birds with one stone utilizing unused resources to build a robust network to make websites load faster and yet still stay strong under network flooding attacks Typically, more people means less security and certainty.

“However, Gladius completely flips that paradigm by using numbers to our advantage. Using the blockchain to create a network of trust enables us to spread sensitive and vital information across the globe while remaining fully encrypted.”

Idle connections

The majority of consumers do use all of the bandwidth that their internet provider gives them (or that they pay for). When you are not using a computer, smartphone or smart TV, your provider still continues to charge you for a minimum monthly usage. This essentially means that consumers are spending money on a connection they are not using.

Gladius wants to pool together user’s rented bandwidth in a way which allows users to join and grow them in order to further monetise their unused bandwidth.

These ‘pools’ also serve as a ‘filter guardian’ for reversing and cleaning traffic, which is a common feature of DDoS attacks.

The company is beginning its public ICO on October 22.

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