The npm registry is the package distribution system for JavaScript and Node.js projects. Developers publish named, versioned packages there, and tools such as npm install fetch those releases from the registry. Because dependency management is heavily automated, the registry is not just a catalog: it is part of the software supply chain and a major trust boundary.
In cyber security, the npm registry matters because attackers may target publisher accounts, access tokens, or the publishing workflow itself. If they can upload a malicious version of a popular package, that release can propagate quickly into developer workstations, CI systems, lockfiles, and build caches. Some packages also run lifecycle scripts during installation, which can turn a routine update into code execution. Defenses include 2FA for maintainers, short-lived scoped tokens, restricted CI secrets, lockfile review, and disabling install scripts where appropriate.