What is Web App Security?
Due to the global nature of the internet, web-based properties are exposed to threats and attacks from various locations at any scale or intricacy. Web application security especially secures websites, servers, APIs, and other web-based services from these attacks.
Why Web App Security Important?
The way the world is depending on the internet, almost everything is run with the help of apps. From online banking, work apps, and cloud storage, to eCommerce to ordering groceries and personal entertainment, a lot of activities of our daily life are now digitized. More than one-third of cyberattacks target applications and their vulnerabilities. These attacks can potentially loot your information, steal your money, and whatnot. It’s a no-brainer that security is a must-have aspect of any web property depending on its importance.
Some of the common vulnerabilities of web app security
Here’s some of the common method attack
Credential Stuffing: Credential stuffing is one of those most common method attacks, where an attacker uses stolen credentials from one platform and to access the same user’s account on another platform. It’s very common because 65% of people use the same password on multiple or all platforms they use. Even Though credential stuffing has a very low success rate usually around 3% but its impact on the attacked organization is huge.
SQL Injection: SQL injection is yet another common way of cyberattack. It is a technique of injecting code in SQL(Structured Query Language) database. By placing special SQL statements in the entry field attackers can retrieve, modify or even destroy. Using this technique attackers can potentially destroy your data-base.
Cross-Site Scripting: Cross-site scripting is another popular method of code injection and in this method malicious code is injected to the end-user via trusted websites. It’s mostly used to gain access to private data. Typically this method of attack is successful when web apps lacks input validation.
Brute-Force: This method of attack uses trial and error to get access to guess login info or encryptions keys. The reason its called brute force is because in this method attackers use force to get their way into private accounts.
MITM(man in the middle): In this method attackers position themselves in conversion between a user and a web app either to eavesdrop or to mimic one the parties making appear as if its a fair exchange of information. This type of attack is done to get personal information such login credentials, personal details, account info typically from platforms where logging in required such as eCommerce websites, Saas platforms etc.
Session hijacking: A session hijacking also know as cookie poisoning is the method of exploitation of a valid computer session to gain unauthorized access to information. Usually an attacker takes over an internet session for instance, paying bills online, or shopping at an online store, checking credit card balance. Typical session hijackers target browser or web application sessions.
Local File Inclusion: This is a relatively uncommon method of attack rather than the others, in this technique attackers trick a web app to run or expose into the server.
Is it ok to outsource web app security?
You can outsource to trusted agencies to increase the security of your web app. Rather having in-house security team outsourcing from web app securities saves a lot of cost and makes the process easier and you gain access to modern technologies as these companies specialize in security they have the best in the market tools to provide security to your web app which in case of in-house operation you may have to purchase it. You can successfully enhance the security layers, boost your customer confidence and gain their trust.
