Picture credit: iStock

The digital landscape has seen a significant surge in cyber-attacks, as reported by Proofpoint, a leader in cybersecurity monitoring. With the evolving work culture embracing remote operations, organizations are increasingly dependent on internet-based programs. This shift towards web applications and virtual work environments has necessitated rapid changes in internal systems, inadvertently creating vulnerabilities and opportunities for cybercriminals. Furthermore, the rapid dissemination of critical information by governments and other authorities presents a challenge, as it can be easily mimicked by malicious actors for deceptive purposes.

These attacks use malware programs on the internet such as computer viruses, ransomware, spyware, phishing, and many others to infiltrate computer networks and systems. The results of these attacks can include financial loss, unauthorized access to sensitive information, loss of important data, and more.

In the world of web development, there are more security vulnerabilities than most developers would like to admit. For example, a misconfiguration during a routine website or web application code update could give an attacker an opening to seize some level of control and potentially take over the hosting server. This is a serious issue that could cause irreparable damage to an organization. Moreover, the reality is that most vulnerabilities are exploited through automated means, such as vulnerability scanners or botnets. This means bad actors are constantly looking for ways to infiltrate web applications and websites. 

It is critical for businesses to be apprised of the most prevalent website threats to maintain security. The following list will detail the top website vulnerabilities and threats:

1. SQL Injection Attacks:

   This is one of the most common threats. According to PortSwigger, a web security company, “many high-profile data breaches in recent years have been the result of SQL injection attacks, leading to reputational damage and regulatory fines.” An SQL injection attack can alter the database query and cause it to return the search data back to the attacker rather than the intended website. This attack can lead to the manipulation of confidential data and allow the hacker to cause a variety of issues such as adding malicious information, gaining unauthorized access to the systems, and breaching the entire server. These can all lead to serious security threats.

2. Cross-site Scripting (XSS):

   This attack injects malicious scripts into trusted sites such as injecting client-side scripts into an internet site, then uses the website as a propagation tool. The danger behind XSS is that it allows an attacker to inject content into an internet site and modify how it is displayed. This forces the victim’s browser to unknowingly execute the code provided by the attacker.

3. Credential Brute Force Attacks:

   This attack gains access to a website’s admin area, instrument panel, or SFTP server. It is amongst the foremost tactics to compromise websites. This technique utilizes the usernames and passwords from a company’s own data to hack the system for their nefarious gain.

4. DoS/DDoS Attacks:

   A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack may be a non-intrusive internet attack. It's made to take down or slow the targeted website by flooding the network, server, or application with fake traffic.

5. Unvalidated Redirects and Forwards:

   If there's no proper validation while redirecting to other pages, attackers can leverage this vulnerability to redirect victims to phishing or malware sites or forward them to unauthorized pages.

Safeguarding Servers and Web Spaces Is Crucial

With the recent uptick in threats and automated attacks, it is not enough to guard web applications with one technique or at one layer of the tech stack. There must be a robust security strategy in place. Vulnerabilities within the platform or in the protocols, such as TCP or HTTP, can be devastating to the safety and availability of applications. Additionally, web security is collaborative work across the network, security, operations, and development teams as it requires each and every person in the team to play a vital role in protecting applications and their critical data. Cross-department collaboration is crucial in safeguarding the business.

How Nisum Can Help

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, it's critical for businesses to prioritize the protection and security of their data against emerging threats. Nisum stands at the forefront of cybersecurity, equipped to tackle the latest challenges in this domain. Our expertise in safeguarding systems is unparalleled, and we specialize in creating robust web infrastructures fortified with the right security protocols. Our goal is to ensure your business's most vital systems and information are shielded from the ever-present risks of cybercrime.

Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your business and technology goals.