A method for forwarding data flows in a network, which has a forwarding element for forwarding the data flows, includes: receiving a data flow of the data flows, the data flow corresponding to a present forwarding rule of the forwarding element; forwarding the data flow with an added time delay. The added time delay includes a first forwarding time delay and second forwarding time delay. A first number of packets of the data flow, which are first packets, are forwarded by the first forwarding element with the first forwarding time delay. A second number of the packets of the data flow, which are second packets, are forwarded with the second forwarding time delay. The first forwarding time delay and the second forwarding time delay have a time difference from each other.