Potential Threats and Measures to Secure Your Web Applications
Web applications are unprotected, and everyone can get to it. All you need is an internet connection. That includes hackers too!
But developers often ignore web application security and teams typically spend most of the time on the code – and little to no time making sure the web apps are reliable.
According to Forrester, application vulnerabilities remain the main reason for the success of attacks, representing 42% of attacks by exploiting a software vulnerability and 35% came via a web app.
Common website app threats
There isn’t just one way that websites get attacked; some common web app threats are:
- SQL Injections
SQL injection attacks are done by infusing malicious code in an exposed SQL query. They count on an attacker inserting a request within the message sent by the website to the database.
- Malware
Malware – the biggest threat to your website, is used to access private data or server resources. Malware can be classified into distinct bands since they work to achieve separate goals- spyware, viruses, ransomware, worms, and trojans.
- Phishing Scam
Phishing scam attacks affect directly with email marketing efforts. These types of threats are planned to look like emails that are from valid sources, to obtain sensitive data.
- Brute Force
Then there’s also brute force attacks, where hackers attempt to guess passwords and forcefully gain access to the web application owner’s details.
But how do you secure web apps against any malicious intent? Here are some of the tips.
- Source code encryption
Malware often taps bugs and vulnerabilities within the design and source code of the application. This malicious code infects 12M+ apps, and the most common way attackers do it is by repackaging popular apps into “rogue apps” and publishing the same. That is why you need to test code for vulnerabilities or run source code scanning.
- Secure your network connections on the back end
Servers and cloud servers that an app’s APIs are accessing should have safety measures to guard data and prevent unlawful access. It becomes important to secure your data and documents – this is where containerization comes into action by providing security advantages. To fortify your container usage throughout the CI/CD pipeline, you should run an automatic start to finish.
- Remain abreast of your patching
Are you strengthening your operating systems with the latest versions? The chances are that you are lagging. Patching your software with updates either from commercial vendors or the open-source community that maintains projects is one of the crucial steps that you can take to ensure the security of your software.
- Encrypt continuously
Encoding has been a hot topic for years. Making encryption of your data at rest and in transit is a must-have on any application security list.
Failure to lock down your traffic can lead to the disclosure of sensitive data through forms of infringement. Your basic checklist here for encryption should include continuous security and items like making sure that you are using SSL with an up to date certificate.
- Install scanning and examining tools
Check every step of the way to confirm the integrity of the application. Alerting procedures can improve the response time in the event of a breach. Without tests and scans, how will you know when your website has been compromised? Be sure to create prompts to alert you in the event of a brute force attack.
- Get a website firewall
Only using SSL certificates are not enough to avoid an attacker from accessing sensitive information. A vulnerability in your web app might allow the attacker to spy traffic, send a visitor to fake websites, hold a website hostage (ransomware) or wipe out all the data. A web application firewall is designed to prevent such attacks against websites and let you focus on your business.
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