Mass IP Cloudflare Blocks in Spain
by Folkert Elzinga, Co-Founder / CEO

Many companies use services like Cloudflare to enhance the security and performance of their websites. However, thousands of online businesses can be affected by mass IP address blocks, preventing their customers from accessing them for certain periods of time.
A recent case occurred due to a request from LALIGA to Movistar and other service providers to block access to websites that illegally stream football matches. This measure has had unintended consequences, leaving businesses unrelated to piracy "out of the game," as their websites become inaccessible during football match hours.
Impact on eCommerce
For many businesses, especially in the eCommerce sector, uninterrupted access to their online store is essential for generating revenue. Every minute their website is inaccessible results in financial losses, frustrated customers, and damage to brand reputation.
The blocking of IP addresses is directly affecting:
- Online stores: Customers cannot access products or services or complete purchases.
- Content platforms and blogs: Relying on web traffic to monetize visits.
- Tech and SaaS companies: Their services may become unusable for their clients.
- Websites in general: Experiencing downtimes and accessibility issues, impacting their performance and reliability.
Alternatives to Cloudflare to Avoid Blocks
If your business has been affected by IP blocks, one solution is to opt for other platforms that offer protection and attack mitigation services without relying exclusively on Cloudflare. Some effective alternatives include:
- Amazon AWS Shield: An advanced DDoS protection solution that integrates with AWS services to ensure website availability and security.
- Sucuri Firewall with CDN Plans: A security platform combining firewall, CDN, and DDoS attack protection, focusing on web security and performance.
- Microsoft Azure WAF: A web application firewall designed to protect websites and cloud services from threats like SQL injections, XSS, and DDoS attacks.
Each of these alternatives offers different levels of protection and optimization, so it is advisable to evaluate which best suits your company's specific needs.
How Can Affected Businesses Protect Themselves?
If your business has been harmed by these blocks, here are some actions you can take:
- Contact your hosting provider or CDN service to check if your assigned IP can be changed.
- Use VPNs or temporary proxies to access the website while the issue is resolved.
- Explore mitigation alternatives with cybersecurity experts who can provide technical solutions tailored to your business.
- Implement multiple layers of security with firewalls and protection tools to prevent unexpected disruptions.
Protecting an online business from mass IP blocks is essential to ensure its operation and success. Choosing the right security provider and implementing mitigation strategies can make a significant difference in a website's stability and accessibility.
At Young-dogs, we work to help online businesses find the best technological solutions and prevent external problems from affecting their growth and profitability. If you need advice, don't hesitate to contact us—we'll find the best option together to protect your online store or website.