Cyberattacks on Non-Profits & Journalists Surge 241% in a Year
The digital world has become an integral part of our daily lives, and with that, the number of cyberattacks has also increased exponentially. A recent report by Cloudflare Project Galileo has revealed that the number of cyberattacks targeting non-profit organizations, independent media, and civil rights organizations has surged by a staggering 241% over the past year.
This alarming rise in cyberattacks is a cause for concern, as these organizations are often vulnerable and do not have the resources to protect themselves against sophisticated cyber threats. Cloudflare Project Galileo, which provides free cybersecurity protection to these vulnerable public interest groups, has blocked nearly 109 billion threats between May 2024 and March 2025.
The report highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks on non-profit organizations, which play a crucial role in addressing social, environmental, and human rights issues. These organizations rely heavily on donations and public trust to carry out their work, making them an attractive target for cybercriminals.
What are the motivations behind these cyberattacks?
Cyberattacks on non-profits, journalists, and civil rights organizations are often motivated by a desire to silence their voices, disrupt their operations, and undermine their work. These attacks can take many forms, including:
- Data breaches: Hackers may steal sensitive information, such as donor data, financial records, or personal identifiable information.
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: Cybercriminals may launch DDoS attacks to overwhelm the organization’s website or infrastructure, making it inaccessible to the public.
- Malware and ransomware attacks: Hackers may install malware or ransomware on the organization’s systems, demanding payment in exchange for restoring access to their data.
- Social engineering attacks: Cybercriminals may use phishing emails or other tactics to trick organization employees into revealing sensitive information or granting access to their systems.
Who are the targets of these cyberattacks?
The report by Cloudflare Project Galileo highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks on the following types of organizations:
- Non-profit organizations: Charities, advocacy groups, and social service organizations are often targeted by cybercriminals.
- Independent media outlets: Journalists and media outlets that focus on investigative reporting, political activism, or other sensitive topics are at risk of cyberattacks.
- Civil rights organizations: Groups that advocate for human rights, social justice, and equality are often targeted by cybercriminals.
What can these organizations do to protect themselves?
While it may seem daunting to protect against cyberattacks, there are several steps that non-profit organizations, journalists, and civil rights organizations can take to improve their cybersecurity:
- Implement strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: Use complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to systems.
- Keep software and systems up-to-date: Regularly update software, operating systems, and security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
- Use reputable security software: Install antivirus software, firewalls, and other security tools to detect and prevent malware and other threats.
- Monitor for suspicious activity: Regularly monitor systems and networks for suspicious activity, such as unusual login attempts or data transfers.
- Educate employees: Provide cybersecurity training to employees to prevent social engineering attacks and other types of cybercrime.
Conclusion
The surge in cyberattacks on non-profit organizations, independent media, and civil rights organizations is a growing concern that requires immediate attention. These organizations play a critical role in addressing social, environmental, and human rights issues, and it is essential that they have the necessary resources to protect themselves against cyber threats.
Cloudflare Project Galileo’s initiative to provide free cybersecurity protection to these vulnerable groups is a welcome step towards ensuring their safety and security online. We urge all non-profit organizations, journalists, and civil rights organizations to take the necessary steps to protect themselves against cyberattacks and to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
News Source:
https://geekflare.com/news/cyberattacks-on-nonprofits-journalists-surge-241-in-a-year/
