In the last decade, a lot of people have utilized the Web to communicate and conduct business with their customers. This includes the use of web-based software that gather and store data including customer information provided via content management systems shopping carts inquiries or submit forms, and login fields.
Because these applications are internet-connected and frequently accessible from anywhere in the world, they are at risk for hacking attempts that exploit vulnerabilities in the application’s infrastructure. For instance, SQL injection attacks (which exploit weaknesses in the database) could result in compromised databases that contain sensitive information. Attackers may use the leverage they gain by breaching your Web application to discover other, more vulnerable systems within your network.
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) is another common Web attack type. It exploits weaknesses in web servers to inject malicious code into web pages. The script then executes within the victim’s browser. This allows attackers to steal private information, or redirect users to phishing websites. Web forums, message boards, and blogs are especially vulnerable to XSS attacks.
Distributed attacks on service (DDoS) comprise hackers banding together to bombard a website with more requests than it can handle. This can cause a website to slow reference or even cease to function completely. This hinders the ability to process requests, rendering it inaccessible to everyone. This is the reason DDoS attacks can be especially damaging for small businesses that rely on their websites for operations for their business, such as local restaurants or bakeries.
