Socket — Security analysis and diagnosis

A security tool that detects and blocks supply chain attacks on npm and PyPI dependencies

Basic Information

What is this program?

Socket is a supply chain security tool that analyzes the risks of dependencies published to package registries such as npm and PyPI. Unlike traditional scanners that only look at CVE scores, it examines behavior-based signals, such as whether a package accesses the network, file system, or environment variables at install time.

In 2026, large-scale supply chain attacks continue to recur in the npm ecosystem. Socket continuously publicizes cases where it has detected and blocked such malicious packages, and can be integrated into GitHub repositories and CI to review dependency changes.

What problems does it solve?

• Situations where you need to prevent supply chain attacks in which a dependency update turns into a malicious package
• Situations where you need to catch install scripts and normal behavior violations that CVE scanners miss
• Situations where you need to perform due diligence on dependencies for an npm or PyPI project before adopting them

Key Features

Behavior-based analysis

Analyzes a package's network, file, and process access behavior

• Use case: detecting malicious packages that appear legitimate
• What you get: checking install hook and static code signals
• Limitations: does not guarantee complete visibility into all package behavior

Supply chain alerts

Alerts on risk signals when new versions or dependency changes occur

• Use case: reducing the time to detect attacks
• What you get: integration with PRs and repositories
• Limitations: requires managing alert digests

Due diligence search

Look up security scores for millions of open source packages

• Use case: understanding risk before adopting a tool
• What you get: searching packages via web or CLI
• Limitations: scores are only a reference indicator

CLI and CI integration

Scan projects with the CLI and apply blocking rules in CI

• Use case: inserting a security gate into the development workflow
• What you get: using it as an alternative to npm audit
• Limitations: requires team rule configuration

Installation and Usage

npm (CLI)

Install and use the global CLI.

npm install -g @socket.dev/cli

Web dashboard

Create an account on the website and connect your repositories.

https://socket.dev/dashboard

Real-world usage examples

Project scanning

Scans the dependency tree against Socket's criteria.

socket npm run -- --cutoff 0

Viewing a package report

Look up the supply chain score for a specific package on the web.

https://socket.dev/npm/package/

PR integration

Install the GitHub app to review dependency changes on every PR.

https://socket.dev/integrations

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Detects malicious packages based on behavior beyond CVE scores
• Supports major registries such as npm and PyPI
• Integrates naturally into development workflows through CLI and GitHub
• Track record of detecting numerous supply chain attacks in 2026

Things to consider before use

• Full functionality requires a paid team plan
• Behavior signals can produce false positives, so policy tuning is required
• Not a complete replacement for traditional CVE-based workflows (complementary relationship)

Comparison with similar programs

Official resources and further learning

• Official homepage — https://socket.dev/
• Official documentation / knowledge base — https://docs.socket.dev/
• Official download — https://socket.dev/cli
• Release notes — https://socket.dev/blog
• Source / development resources — https://github.com/SocketDev
• GitHub repository — https://github.com/SocketDev/socket-cli

Version and supported environment information is based on values confirmed on the official website as of 2026-10-18. Installation commands may vary depending on your distribution and version, so please also check the official installation documentation.

Actual execution screen

Synthetic example — not an actual execution result. The screen is a synthetic example and not an actual execution result.

!Socket CLI installation and dependency scan example

A live production server

Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/apps/security/socket.html This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.