Your node_modules folder is an attack surface. Understand the risks and protect your JavaScript projects.
Malicious packages with names similar to popular packages (e.g., 'lodas' instead of 'lodash')
crossenv vs cross-env, electron vs electorn
Code execution, credential theft, backdoors
Attackers publish public packages with same name as internal private packages
Multiple companies compromised in 2021 via this vector
Arbitrary code execution in build pipelines
Attackers compromise maintainer accounts and push malicious updates
ua-parser-js, event-stream incidents
Millions of projects suddenly running malicious code
Packages with install scripts that execute malicious code during npm install
Crypto miners, credential stealers in postinstall
System compromise during development
Attackers take control of abandoned but still-used packages
leftpad-style situations, unmaintained dependencies
Supply chain compromise through neglected packages
Lock exact dependency versions. Prevents automatic malicious updates.
Check for known vulnerabilities in your dependency tree.
Check package stats, maintainers, and recent activity before adding dependencies.
Fewer dependencies = smaller attack surface. Consider if you need that package.
Prevent dependency confusion by scoping internal packages.
If you publish packages, protect your account from takeover.
npm auditCheck for known vulnerabilities in dependencies
npm audit fixAutomatically fix vulnerabilities where possible
npm audit --productionOnly audit production dependencies
npm outdatedList packages that need updating
npx npm-checkInteractive update checker with more details
VAS scans your running application for vulnerabilities that npm audit can't see— issues in how your code uses dependencies, not just the dependencies themselves.
Free Security ScanMore common than you'd think. npm removes thousands of malicious packages each year. Major incidents happen regularly—event-stream, ua-parser-js, node-ipc, colors.js. Most target credentials or crypto mining. The sheer size of the npm ecosystem (2M+ packages) makes complete security impossible.
No. npm audit only catches known vulnerabilities in its database. It doesn't detect: new malicious packages, typosquatting, dependency confusion, or compromised maintainer accounts. Use it as one layer of defense, not your only protection.
Yes. Dev dependencies run on your machine and in CI/CD. A malicious postinstall script in a dev dependency can steal credentials, install backdoors, or compromise your build pipeline. Audit all dependencies, not just production ones.
Check: weekly downloads (popularity), number of maintainers, recent commit activity, GitHub stars and issues, npm publish history, package size vs functionality. Be extra cautious with packages that have few downloads, new maintainers, or do more than they should.
1) Remove it immediately, 2) Rotate all credentials that might have been exposed, 3) Check for any files or processes it may have created, 4) Audit your git history for malicious commits, 5) Alert your team, 6) Consider the build/dev machine compromised if the package had postinstall scripts.
Last updated: January 16, 2026