# Who is targeting NGOs?

> Public reporting links 8 threat groups to attacks on NGOs, part of the charities and NGOs industry, including Tortoiseshell, Molerats and AridViper. 7 of them are thought to have state backing. This page lists them and where they are thought to operate from, so you can see who might come after a business like yours.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/sub-industries/ngos
Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/) > [Industries](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/industries) > [Charities and NGOs](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/industries/civil-society-ngos) > NGOs

## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Threat groups linked | 8 |
| Related sectors with groups | 3 |
| Suspected state backing | 7 of 8 |
| Countries of origin | 4 |
| Part of | Charities and NGOs |

## Which groups target NGOs?

| Group | Thought to operate from | Suspected state backing | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tortoiseshell | Iran | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/tortoiseshell |
| Molerats | Palestinian Territories | Palestine | https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/molerats |
| AridViper | Palestinian Territories | Palestine | https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/aridviper |
| POLONIUM | Lebanon | Lebanon | https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/polonium |
| TA406 | South Korea | No | https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/ta406 |
| APT42 | Iran | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/apt42 |
| Cotton Sandstorm | Iran | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/cotton-sandstorm |
| BANISHED KITTEN | Iran | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/banished-kitten |

## Where are they thought to operate from?

- Iran: 4
- Palestinian Territories: 2
- Lebanon: 1
- South Korea: 1

## Other sectors in charities and NGOs

- [Civil society](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/sub-industries/civil-society): 24 groups
- [Religious organisations](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/sub-industries/religious-organizations): 3 groups
- [Human rights](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/sub-industries/human-rights): 1 group

## Frequently asked questions

### Which threat groups target NGOs?

Public reporting links 8 threat groups to attacks on NGOs, including Tortoiseshell, Molerats, AridViper, POLONIUM and TA406.

### Where are these groups thought to operate from?

Most are thought to operate from Iran (4), Palestinian Territories (2) and Lebanon (1). 7 of the 8 are thought to have backing from a government.

### Which industry is NGOs part of?

NGOs sits within charities and NGOs. The industry page lists every group linked to the wider sector.

### How can I check my own organisation's exposure?

Create an account and tell us the software you run. We match it against known flaws, rank each one from 0 to 100 using evidence it is being exploited, let you know as soon as something changes that affects you, and show which groups and ransomware gangs are hitting your sector.

## Check whether it matters to your business

A free Precursor Intelligence account (no card needed) matches the software you run against known flaws, including those linked to threat groups, ranks each one from 0 to 100 and tells you as soon as we spot something that affects you. It also shows which threat groups and ransomware gangs are hitting your sector, with profiles of over 900 groups and a PDF dossier for each.

- Start free: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/register
- Book a demo: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/contact