A web application is an application that is commonly served via the https or http protocol, which is usually serviced from a remote computer acting as a host/server. Web application attacks is a serious issue that can lead to data theft and in worst-case scenarios, can take the site down completely.
Surprisingly, most business websites out there are actually found to contain numerous vulnerabilities. Because web applications run in the browser, any potential security loophole in the browser can lead to exploiting these vulnerabilities in the web applications and cause damage to the business website.
You may think a web hacker needs a complex system of hacking tools, but this is not the case, it is so simple that it’s scary. A web hacker only needs an Internet connection, a browser and some expertise in the area. In most cases the best line of defence is a strong offence – secure coding.
Following are the most common types of web applications attacks with few tips on what you can do to help keep your web application secure from each of these threats.
1. XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) is regarded as the most common type of computer security vulnerability, with a huge number of web applications that are online today being vulnerable to this type of malicious script. XSS allows attackers to inject client-side script into Web pages viewed by other users. A cross-site scripting vulnerability may be used by attackers to bypass access controls, which could cause serious problems for your users.
Solution: An intelligent Web Application Firewall (WAF) can shield these vulnerabilities, working in conjunction with the behavioural firewall, blocking sophisticated and dangerous attacks.
2. DDoS Attacks: DDoS stands for a denial-of-service or as it’s more commonly known, a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS). This type of attack is an attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users. It can make your website run unbearably slow, or worst-case scenario, take it offline completely. A number of large corporate and evengovernment websites have been hit by DDoS attacks in the past.
solution: A reliable and well-reviewed DDoS protection tool is the best defence against DDos Attacks that filters requests and rejects the one that appear malicious
3. SQL Injection: SQL Injections are one of the most serious type of attack on the internet. These attacks take advantage of web application vulnerabilities to gain control of databases and all of the information contained within them. Any web application which stores data will use one or more databases to hold that information and recall it when necessary. This could be things such as names, e-mail addresses, postal addresses, telephone numbers, credit card details, bank information, and much more – all sorts of information that you wouldn’t want the wrong person getting hold of.
Solution: In order to keep your databases secure you should practice regular auditing and remediation of your application to ensure that any vulnerability are discovered and dealt with as quickly as possible. Using parameterized queries and checking for SQL injection patterns before executing query can address the problem.
4. Cookie poisoning/hijacking: Cookie poisoning can be tricky and deceiving. Many web applications use cookies to save user information such as logins, passwords, and account emails.
Cookie poisoning allows the attacker to modify the valid cookie and gain false authorisation to information about another user and go on to steal your information.
Solution: Clearing stored cookies from your browser regularly will ensure that there is nothing for anybody to hijack. Always avoid signing up for sites and or newsletters that you don’t trust or won’t use again. Regular virus and malware scanning is also advised to help you keep your browser free from any malicious scripts which could be hijacking your cookie.
Surprisingly, most business websites out there are actually found to contain numerous vulnerabilities. Because web applications run in the browser, any potential security loophole in the browser can lead to exploiting these vulnerabilities in the web applications and cause damage to the business website.
You may think a web hacker needs a complex system of hacking tools, but this is not the case, it is so simple that it’s scary. A web hacker only needs an Internet connection, a browser and some expertise in the area. In most cases the best line of defence is a strong offence – secure coding.
Following are the most common types of web applications attacks with few tips on what you can do to help keep your web application secure from each of these threats.
1. XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) is regarded as the most common type of computer security vulnerability, with a huge number of web applications that are online today being vulnerable to this type of malicious script. XSS allows attackers to inject client-side script into Web pages viewed by other users. A cross-site scripting vulnerability may be used by attackers to bypass access controls, which could cause serious problems for your users.
Solution: An intelligent Web Application Firewall (WAF) can shield these vulnerabilities, working in conjunction with the behavioural firewall, blocking sophisticated and dangerous attacks.
2. DDoS Attacks: DDoS stands for a denial-of-service or as it’s more commonly known, a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS). This type of attack is an attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users. It can make your website run unbearably slow, or worst-case scenario, take it offline completely. A number of large corporate and evengovernment websites have been hit by DDoS attacks in the past.
solution: A reliable and well-reviewed DDoS protection tool is the best defence against DDos Attacks that filters requests and rejects the one that appear malicious
3. SQL Injection: SQL Injections are one of the most serious type of attack on the internet. These attacks take advantage of web application vulnerabilities to gain control of databases and all of the information contained within them. Any web application which stores data will use one or more databases to hold that information and recall it when necessary. This could be things such as names, e-mail addresses, postal addresses, telephone numbers, credit card details, bank information, and much more – all sorts of information that you wouldn’t want the wrong person getting hold of.
Solution: In order to keep your databases secure you should practice regular auditing and remediation of your application to ensure that any vulnerability are discovered and dealt with as quickly as possible. Using parameterized queries and checking for SQL injection patterns before executing query can address the problem.
4. Cookie poisoning/hijacking: Cookie poisoning can be tricky and deceiving. Many web applications use cookies to save user information such as logins, passwords, and account emails.
Cookie poisoning allows the attacker to modify the valid cookie and gain false authorisation to information about another user and go on to steal your information.
Solution: Clearing stored cookies from your browser regularly will ensure that there is nothing for anybody to hijack. Always avoid signing up for sites and or newsletters that you don’t trust or won’t use again. Regular virus and malware scanning is also advised to help you keep your browser free from any malicious scripts which could be hijacking your cookie.
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