What is Web Attack?

What is Web Attack?

There are a variety of ways attackers can attack Web applications (websites that allow you to communicate directly with software via the browser), to steal confidential information or introduce malicious codes or even hijack your computer. These attacks exploit weaknesses in components like web applications as well as content management systems and web servers.

Web app attacks constitute the majority of security threats. Over the last 10 years, attackers have honed their abilities in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities that compromise security perimeters for applications. Attackers can evade the most common defenses using techniques like phishing engineering, and botnets.

A phishing attack involves tricking victims into clicking an read this email link containing malware. The malware is downloaded onto the victim’s computer, and gives attackers access to systems or devices. Botnets are networks of compromised and infected devices, that attackers use to launch DDoS attacks, spread malware, perpetuate ad fraud, and more.

Directory traversal attacks use patterns of movement to gain access to files, configuration databases, and other files on the website. In order to protect against this kind of attack requires the proper sanitization of inputs.

SQL injection attacks target the database which stores crucial data for websites and services by injecting malicious code that allows it to bypass security measures and disclose information that normally would not. Attackers can execute commands, dump databases and more.

Cross-site scripting (or XSS) attacks insert malicious code inside a trusted website to hijack browsers of users. This allows attackers to steal session cookies and confidential information, impersonate users or alter content, and many more.