> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cosmicguard Mitigation Overview

> Technical overview of the Cosmicguard high-performance mitigation network. Learn about stateful packet inspection and A2S query caching features.

## Performance-Focused Security

Cosmicguard is a premium DDoS mitigation layer integrated into the FREAKHOSTING infrastructure, specifically optimized for low-latency gaming and high-performance real-time applications. Unlike standard volumetric filters, Cosmicguard specializes in stateful packet inspection and hardware-level query offloading. This technical approach ensures that your server remains protected against complex application-layer attacks without sacrificing the responsive connection quality required by competitive gaming communities.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Core Features

The Cosmicguard network is defined by its ability to intelligently differentiate between legitimate users and malicious traffic in real-time.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Stateful Packet Inspection">
    Cosmicguard performs deep packet inspection (DPI) to maintain a logical "state" for every connection. It validates handshakes and protocol-specific data (such as a Minecraft join request) before allowing traffic to proceed to your server. Malformed or out-of-sequence packets are discarded at the network edge, protecting your CPU from processing overhead.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="A2S Hardware Caching">
    For titles using the Source Engine or SteamNET (CS2, Rust, GMod), server info queries can be a major attack vector. Cosmicguard caches your server's metadata (player count, map, and status) on dedicated hardware. Queries are answered by the firewall itself, ensuring your server remains "Online" in browsers even during intense query floods.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Infrastructure & Connectivity

The Cosmicguard backbone is architected for zero jitter and maximum throughput.

* **Global Scrubbing Nodes:** using a distributed network of high-speed scrubbing centers to mitigate attacks as close to the source as possible.
* **Ultra-Low Latency Routing:** Optimized pathfinding ensures that the mitigation process adds negligible delay to your players' ping, maintaining a professional gaming experience.
* **Volumetric Capacity:** Designed to absorb multi-terabit volumetric floods, ensuring that even the most aggressive attacks do not impact the underlying hardware node.

***

## Management Workflow

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Unified Protocol Ruleset">
    Administrators can manage TCP, UDP, and ICMP filtering from a single, cohesive interface. This eliminates the need to jump between different configuration screens when hardening your server perimeter.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="One-Click Game Presets">
    Access a library of pre-tuned presets for complex titles like FiveM, Palworld, and ARK. These presets apply the optimal stateful validation rules for the selected game's network protocol with a single click.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Optimizing for Valve Titles

  If you are hosting a Source Engine game, ensure that **A2S Caching** is enabled within your Cosmicguard settings. This is the most effective way to prevent "Server Not Responding" errors during high-intensity community events.
</Tip>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
  * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div align="center">
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Cosmicguard:** Performance-first mitigation.
</div>