Cyberattacks on Non-Profits & Journalists Surge 241% in a Year
In a disturbing trend, the number of cyberattacks targeting non-profit organizations, independent media outlets, and civil rights groups has skyrocketed by a staggering 241% over the past year. According to new data released by Cloudflare’s Project Galileo, a free cybersecurity protection initiative aimed at vulnerable public interest groups, the surge in cyberattacks has reached alarming proportions.
Project Galileo provides free cybersecurity protection to organizations that are frequently targeted by cybercriminals due to their commitment to promoting public interest, free speech, and human rights. The initiative has been instrumental in blocking nearly 109 billion threats between May 2024 and March 2025, a testament to the growing threat posed by cyberattacks on these organizations.
The surge in cyberattacks on non-profits, journalists, and civil rights groups is a worrying trend that highlights the vulnerability of these organizations to cyber threats. These groups often lack the resources and expertise to adequately defend themselves against sophisticated cyberattacks, making them an attractive target for cybercriminals.
The data released by Cloudflare’s Project Galileo highlights the alarming rate at which these attacks have increased. In the past year, the initiative has seen a 241% surge in cyberattacks targeting non-profits, journalists, and civil rights groups. This represents a significant increase from the previous year, which saw a 15% increase in attacks.
The most affected sectors are non-profit organizations, with a 344% increase in attacks, followed closely by independent media outlets, which have seen a 286% surge in attacks. Civil rights groups have also been targeted, with a 241% increase in attacks.
The motivations behind these cyberattacks vary, but many are designed to disrupt the work of these organizations, compromise their data, and silence their voices. Cybercriminals may target these organizations to disrupt their operations, steal sensitive information, or extort money from them.
The impact of these cyberattacks can be devastating. Non-profits and journalists rely on their online presence to raise awareness about important issues, mobilize public support, and advocate for change. Cyberattacks can compromise their ability to do so, causing them to lose public trust, damage their reputation, and undermine their mission.
Journalists, in particular, are vulnerable to cyberattacks, which can be used to compromise their sources, steal their data, and silence their voices. This can have a chilling effect on investigative journalism, which is essential for holding those in power accountable and promoting transparency and accountability.
The surge in cyberattacks on non-profits, journalists, and civil rights groups highlights the need for increased vigilance and proactive measures to protect these organizations. Cloudflare’s Project Galileo is a crucial initiative that provides free cybersecurity protection to these organizations, helping to block nearly 109 billion threats between May 2024 and March 2025.
Other measures can be taken to protect these organizations, including:
- Implementing robust cybersecurity measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption.
- Conducting regular security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
- Providing cybersecurity training to staff and volunteers.
- Establishing incident response plans to quickly respond to cyberattacks.
- Building partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders to share information and best practices.
In conclusion, the surge in cyberattacks on non-profits, journalists, and civil rights groups is a disturbing trend that highlights the vulnerability of these organizations to cyber threats. It is essential that these organizations take proactive measures to protect themselves against these attacks and that we, as a society, recognize the importance of preserving the freedom of speech and the right to information.
Source:
https://geekflare.com/news/cyberattacks-on-nonprofits-journalists-surge-241-in-a-year/
