Cyberattacks on non-profits & journalists Surge 241% in a year

Cyberattacks on Non-Profits & Journalists Surge 241% in a Year

The digital landscape has become a battleground for cybercriminals, and unfortunately, vulnerable public interest groups are bearing the brunt of their malicious activities. According to a recent report by Cloudflare Project Galileo, the number of cyberattacks targeting non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations has skyrocketed by a staggering 241% over the past year.

This alarming surge in cyberattacks is a cause for concern, as these organizations are often under-resourced and struggle to defend themselves against sophisticated threats. As a result, they are more likely to suffer significant financial losses, damage to their reputation, and even compromise of sensitive information.

The Rise of Cyberattacks on Non-Profits and Journalists

Cloudflare Project Galileo is an initiative that provides free cybersecurity protection to vulnerable public interest groups. The project has been monitoring cyberattacks on these organizations since May 2024 and has reported a significant increase in the number of threats. Between May 2024 and March 2025, Cloudflare’s security team blocked nearly 109 billion threats, a testament to the scale and severity of the problem.

The report highlights the alarming rise in cyberattacks on non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations. These groups are often targeted because they are perceived as vulnerable or lack the resources to defend themselves against sophisticated attacks. The report notes that these organizations are frequently targeted with phishing attacks, malware, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.

Why Are Non-Profits and Journalists Being Targeted?

So, why are non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations being targeted by cybercriminals? There are several reasons for this:

1. Financial Motivation: Non-profits and independent media organizations often have limited budgets, making them an attractive target for financial gain.
2. Political Motivation: Civil rights organizations and independent media outlets may be targeted by political actors seeking to disrupt their operations or discredit their work.
3. Data Collection: Cybercriminals may target these organizations to collect sensitive information, such as financial data, personal identifiable information, or intellectual property.

The Consequences of Cyberattacks on Non-Profits and Journalists

The consequences of cyberattacks on non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations can be severe. Some of the potential consequences include:

1. Financial Losses: Cyberattacks can result in significant financial losses, including the theft of donations, grants, or other funds.
2. Reputation Damage: A successful cyberattack can damage an organization’s reputation, leading to a loss of trust and credibility.
3. Data Breaches: Cyberattacks can result in the theft or exposure of sensitive information, including personal identifiable information, financial data, or intellectual property.
4. Disruption of Operations: Cyberattacks can disrupt an organization’s operations, including the ability to provide services, communicate with stakeholders, or access critical systems.

What Can Be Done to Mitigate the Risk of Cyberattacks?

While the surge in cyberattacks on non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations is alarming, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate the risk of these attacks:

1. Implement Strong Cybersecurity Measures: Organizations should implement robust cybersecurity measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption.
2. Provide Cybersecurity Training: Employees and volunteers should receive regular cybersecurity training to help them identify and prevent cyber threats.
3. Monitor for Threats: Organizations should regularly monitor for threats and have incident response plans in place to quickly respond to cyberattacks.
4. Seek Support from Cybersecurity Experts: Organizations should seek support from cybersecurity experts, such as Cloudflare Project Galileo, to help them defend against cyber threats.

Conclusion

The surge in cyberattacks on non-profits, independent media, and civil rights organizations is a clear indication that these groups are being targeted by cybercriminals. It is essential that these organizations take steps to protect themselves against these attacks, including implementing strong cybersecurity measures, providing cybersecurity training, monitoring for threats, and seeking support from cybersecurity experts.

As a society, we must recognize the importance of protecting these organizations and the critical work they do. We must also recognize the importance of cybersecurity and take steps to ensure that these organizations are equipped to defend themselves against the ever-evolving threat of cyberattacks.

Source:

https://geekflare.com/news/cyberattacks-on-nonprofits-journalists-surge-241-in-a-year/