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Web Application Security
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Web Application Security
Today’s unique customer demands have made businesses take distinct routes and approaches to deliver customer experience. From what’s in trend to what’s lacking in the market in terms of user requirements today, companies are forced to consistently keep an eye out for what more could be added to the time users interact with them.
This has led to companies adopt different strategies to engage customers such as native apps, mobile websites, web applications and more. To cater to the increasing demands of customers and other businesses, companies roll out web-based applications. Though this is ideal, it does come with its own set of shortcomings.
When developing web applications, most companies take a very generic approach to developing them. They use frameworks and incorporate a templated approach into their development process. This involuntarily gives rise to several vulnerabilities that have the potential to compromise sensitive data.
Why Does This Happen?
One of the major reasons why this happens is because of a, like we said, generic development process. When developing a web app, a business should understand that it’s a distinct product in the market that has its own set of requirements. It has to be developed with custom requirements so the app could be made airtight from all angles. In that sense, a web app is allowed to have unique security flaws but not repeat what has already been plaguing other similar apps.
When a one-size-fits-all approach is taken to develop the app, it makes it easier for attackers and threats to find existing vulnerabilities and loopholes in the app. Data compromise is just one attack away. That’s exactly why web application security is crucial now more than ever.
What Is Web Application Security?
In simple words, web application security involves the protection of web applications from diverse security threats it is vulnerable to. From phishing to malware and others, web application security ensures its codes are not exploited for vulnerabilities. For those who didn’t know, some of the most common targets for such attacks are :
SaaS applications- Database administration tools like phpMyAdmin
- And Content management systems
Why Web Applications Are Hot Targets For Attackers?
Attackers eye for web applications for a number of reasons. The crucial three reasons are because:
- Their source code is complex, which means a lot of security flaws and loopholes are often overlooked making it easier for exploitation and manipulation
- The rewards of breaking are higher as they get access to some of the most sensitive confidential data
- The rewards of breaking are higher as they get access to some of the most sensitive confidential data
As a business owner, you should note that failing to patch the security flaws in your web app or making them less airtight can increase the chances of being attacked. The consequences of compromise could range from damaged relationships with clients, information and identity theft, licences getting revoked and even legal charges.
What Are Some Web App Vulnerabilities?
To get an idea of some of the attacks your loosely coded web app is vulnerable to, we have compiled some common attacks.
SQL Injection
This happens when an attacker makes use of an SQL code to modify a backend database to extract information. Once the attacker gains access, it becomes simple for them to delete content and tables, have unauthorized admin access, view lists and do more.
Remote File Inclusion
This means the injection of an anonymous file into your web application’s server. The consequences of this include triggering of malicious codes and scripts, data manipulation, data theft and more.
Cross-Site Scripting – XSS
This is again an injection attack, where the attacker’s eye users and their sensitive data to get access to their accounts, modify personal content or activate Trojans. XSS attacks are of two types – Stored and Reflected. While Stored attack when an app is injected with malicious code, Reflected happens when an application reflects a malicious code onto users’ browsers.
CSRF
Abbreviated as Cross-Site Request Forgery, this is perhaps the most dreaded attack of all. This results in the modification of password, data theft, unauthorized transfer of funds and more. It’s a case of CSRF when a suspicious web app forces the browser to execute an unnecessary task in a website a user is logged on to.
How To Optimize Web Application Security
Now that you know the types of attacks and their intensity, we’re sure you now understand the importance of optimizing web application security as well. To do that, we recommend working with an expert that understands security flaws and has a thorough understanding and working of cybersecurity like us.
Now that you know the types of attacks and their intensity, we’re sure you now understand the importance of optimizing web application security as well. To do that, we recommend working with an expert that understands security flaws and has a thorough understanding and working of cybersecurity like us.
With the help of these cases, we identify security weaknesses and vulnerable points that make your organization prone to risks. Apart from the airtight manual that we implement, we also have our cybersecurity experts, security engineers, architects and more who consistently come up with optimized assessment techniques.
Once the flaws are identified, we provide you with
- An executive summary of our findings
- Corrective measures or remedies
- Risk assessments
- Comparative analysis
- Technical finding matrix and more
As we mentioned, it doesn’t make sense to take a generic approach when it comes to developing and deploying web applications. Every app is unique and that’s why we customize our approach to finding security flaws depending on your product, market, niche and business.
To know how vulnerable your application and business is, get in touch with us now. We will help you roll out or update a web app that is airtight and fool-proof. Contact us now.
