Google Ideas associate CJ Adams explains how the online presence of bloggers, independent media, and human rights groups is under increasing threat from distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS). These attacks—purchased cheaply by repressive authorities—can crash an activist’s website during the height of a protest. Adams shows us the Digital Attack Map,which tracks DDoS in real time. He explains how he works closely with activists to protect their sites with Project Shield, which uses Google’s infrastructure to protect online free expression. While technology is a tool that can be used to nefarious ends, Adams is convinced that technology can push human rights forward by protecting those most at risk.