Vigilance vs GitHub Advanced Security
GitHub Advanced Security. Warns you about known bugs, committed passwords, and mistakes in your code. Vigilance finds the update that gained a hidden power, before you install it.
The Catch GitHub Advanced Security Cannot Make
GitHub Advanced Security warns about known bugs and committed secrets. A brand-new attack has no known bug yet. Vigilance keeps no list. It compares the version you trust with the version you install. It reports any file that can suddenly do more.
A real one: axios, March 2026
axios is one of the most-installed packages on the internet. In release 1.14.1, its package.json gained a hidden install step. That step pulls down a remote-control program. GitHub Advanced Security had nothing to flag, because no CVE existed. One command sees it:
vigi diff --old ./axios-1.14.0 --new ./axios-1.14.1
HEADS UP. 1 file changed. package.json can now run a hidden helper on install and reach the network.
Run both. GitHub Advanced Security catches known bugs and leaked secrets. Vigilance catches the change no advisory lists yet. See them side by side below.
Side by Side
| Question | GitHub Advanced Security | Vigilance |
|---|---|---|
| Warns about a part with a known bug | Yes | No |
| Finds a password committed to a repository | Yes | No |
| Finds a mistake in your own code | Yes | No |
| Covers any file that lands, source included | No | Yes |
| Spots a new file that can run other programs | No | Yes |
| Covers software you did not write | No | Yes |
Which One Do You Need?
Use both. GitHub judges the code you write for bugs. Vigilance flags any file, source included, that suddenly gains a capability it never had.
Known Risk versus New Risk
A bug or a bad package someone already reported, with a name and a number. Most tools work here.
A file that gained a capability it never had, that no report covers yet. Vigilance works here.
Common Questions
Is Vigilance a GitHub Advanced Security Alternative?
Yes, for one job. Vigilance shows the file that gained a new capability, on your own machine. Many teams run it next to GitHub Advanced Security.
What Does Vigilance Do That GitHub Advanced Security Does Not?
Vigilance can spot a file that can do more than the version before, and on Pro run with no internet at all.
What Does GitHub Advanced Security Do That Vigilance Does Not?
GitHub Advanced Security finds known bugs that already have a name and a number. Vigilance does not.
Does Vigilance Need the Internet or a Cloud Account?
The Free plan runs online. Pro runs fully offline, with no cloud account.
Try It on Your Own Software.
Show it the version you run today and the one you are about to install.
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