Website security is a top concern for businesses and individuals alike. A variety of website security vulnerabilities can be exploited by cybercriminals, leading to data breaches, malware infections, and other serious consequences.
Website owners and administrators must therefore take steps to identify and address potential security vulnerabilities.
NUMBER 1 – CROSS-SITE SCRIPTING
Website security vulnerabilities can come in many different forms, but one of the most common is known as cross-site scripting (XSS).
XSS attacks occur when an attacker injects malicious code into a web page which is then executed by unsuspecting users who visit the page.
This can allow the attacker to steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious websites, or even take control of the user’s browser.
While XSS attacks can be highly sophisticated, there are simple steps that website owners can take to protect their users.
For example, input validation can help to prevent malicious code from being injected in the first place.
In addition, using a content security policy can help to block illegitimate code from being executed by the browser. By taking these precautions, website owners can help to protect their users from XSS attacks and other security vulnerabilities.
NUMBER 2 – SECURITY MISCONFIGURATION
Security misconfiguration is one of the most common website security vulnerabilities. It occurs when website security settings are incorrectly configured, making the site vulnerable to attack.
There are a number of ways in which a site can be misconfigured but some of the most common include leaving servers and databases publicly accessible, using weak passwords, and failing to properly restrict access to sensitive data.
NUMBER 3 – INSECURE DIRECT OBJECT REFERENCE
Insecure Direct Object References Insecure direct object reference is when a web application exposes a reference to an internal implementation object. Internal implementation objects include files, database records, directories, and database keys.
When an application exposes a reference to one of these objects in a URL, hackers can manipulate it to gain access to a user’s personal data.
NUMBER 4 – CROSS-SITE REQUEST FORGERY
Cross-Site Request Forgery is a type of attack that occurs when a malicious user tricks a victim into clicking on a link that sends an unwanted request to a website.
For example, an attacker could include a CSRF exploit in an email that appears to come from a trusted source.
If the victim clicks on the link, the attacker could gain access to their account or make changes to their profile without their knowledge.
While CSRF attacks can be difficult to prevent, there are some measures that website owners can take to reduce the risk.
For instance, they can require users to enter a CAPTCHA code before performing any actions on the site.
They can also use anti-CSRF tokens, which are unique codes that are generated for each user and change with every request. By taking these precautions, website owners can help to protect their users from CSRF exploits and other attacks.
NUMBER 5 – SQL INJECTIONS
SQL injection is a type of attack that occurs when a malicious user inserts SQL code into a web form in order to gain access to sensitive data.
Once the attacker has access to the database, they can view, delete, or modify sensitive information.
SQL injections can be devastating to both individuals and businesses, as they can lead to the theft of important data such as credit card numbers or social security numbers.
Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to prevent SQL injections from occurring. For example, input validation can be used to ensure that only valid data is entered into web forms.
In addition, database permissions can be restricted so that only authorized users have access to sensitive data. By taking these precautions, businesses can help protect themselves from the devastating effects of an SQL injection attack.
NUMBER 6 – BROKEN AUTHENTICATION & SESSION MANAGEMENT
Broken Authentication & Session Management encompass several security issues, all of them having to do with maintaining the identity of a user.
If authentication credentials and session identifiers are not protected at all times, an attacker can hijack an active session and user credentials, credit card information, health details, and sensitive data are all put at risk when this oversight happens.
Data is stored on application databases, and when this is not properly encrypted, it can be easy for attackers to gain access to your website’s backend.
IS YOUR SENSITIVE DATA VULNERABLE?
At CloudTech24, we are technical experts in remote support and security support.
If your company or sensitive data is vulnerable, contact us for advice.