What is npm doing to protect the JavaScript ecosystem

What is npm doing to protect the JavaScript ecosystem – and is it enough?

npm’s attempts to make package publishing safer haven’t stemmed the relentless supply chain attacks: Are they on the right track?

Mary Branscombe

Jun 16, 2026 - 15 min read

JavaScript is the most widely used programming language in the world so it’s no surprise its package registry is a prime target.

Amid an on-going stream of multiple sophisticated attacks on projects by groups connected to nation state actors, npm is ramping up protections to stop legitimate open source packages getting published with malware in.

But how much can a package registry do to protect users (and maintainers) and how far do developers need to accept it’s time to make some changes themselves?

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