Closing the npm Gap: From Vulnerable Defaults to Hardened Installs

npm installations execute arbitrary code before any security review, creating a critical vulnerability window where 1,500+ transitive dependencies can introduce malicious code. Supply chain attacks have become routine because the current tooling makes detection and prevention nearly invisible to developers. This article reveals practical hardening techniques—like disabling install scripts and auditing lockfiles—that significantly reduce attack surface without requiring institutional security infrastructure.