Cyberattacks on Non-Profits & Journalists Surge 241% in a Year
The digital landscape has become a breeding ground for cyberattacks, with even the most vulnerable organizations being targeted by malicious actors. According to a recent report, the number of cyberattacks targeting non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations has surged by a staggering 241% over the past year. This alarming increase is a testament to the growing threat that these organizations face in the digital age.
The report, shared by Cloudflare Project Galileo, provides a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital world. This initiative provides free cybersecurity protection to vulnerable public interest groups, blocking nearly 109 billion threats between May 2024 and March 2025.
The surge in cyberattacks is a cause for concern, as these organizations are often the primary targets of malicious actors. Non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations are often at the forefront of social and political movements, making them attractive targets for those seeking to disrupt or silence their efforts.
The report highlights the importance of cybersecurity in protecting these organizations from the ever-evolving threat landscape. Cloudflare Project Galileo’s efforts to provide free cybersecurity protection to vulnerable public interest groups have been instrumental in blocking nearly 109 billion threats over the past year.
The data shared by Cloudflare Project Galileo paints a grim picture of the cyberattack landscape. Between May 2024 and March 2025, the initiative blocked:
- 109 billion malicious requests
- 14,000 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
- 2,000 SQL injection attacks
- 1,500 cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks
The sheer scale of these attacks is a testament to the growing threat that these organizations face. The report highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect these organizations from the ever-evolving threat landscape.
The report also sheds light on the tactics used by malicious actors to target these organizations. The most common tactics used include:
- Phishing attacks: Malicious actors use phishing attacks to trick employees into revealing sensitive information.
- Malware and ransomware attacks: Malware and ransomware attacks are used to compromise data and demand payment in exchange for restoring access.
- SQL injection attacks: SQL injection attacks are used to compromise databases and steal sensitive information.
- DDoS attacks: DDoS attacks are used to overwhelm networks and disrupt services.
The report highlights the importance of cybersecurity awareness and education for employees. Employees are often the first line of defense against cyberattacks, and it is essential that they are trained to recognize and report suspicious activity.
The report also emphasizes the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect against cyberattacks. This includes:
- Implementing robust security measures: Organizations must implement robust security measures to protect against cyberattacks.
- Conducting regular security audits: Organizations must conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and patch them before they are exploited.
- Providing cybersecurity training to employees: Employees must be trained to recognize and report suspicious activity.
- Implementing incident response plans: Organizations must have incident response plans in place to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a cyberattack.
The report’s findings are a stark reminder of the growing threat that non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations face in the digital age. It is essential that these organizations prioritize cybersecurity and take proactive measures to protect themselves against cyberattacks.
In conclusion, the surge in cyberattacks targeting non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations is a cause for concern. It is essential that these organizations prioritize cybersecurity and take proactive measures to protect themselves against cyberattacks. The report’s findings highlight the importance of cybersecurity awareness and education for employees, as well as the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect against cyberattacks.
Source:
https://geekflare.com/news/cyberattacks-on-nonprofits-journalists-surge-241-in-a-year/
