There are several ways attackers can target Web applications (websites which allow you to interact directly with software via browsers), to steal confidential data or introduce malicious codes or even take over your computer. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in components like web applications as well as content management systems and web servers.
Web app attacks make up an overwhelming portion of security threats. In the last decade attackers have increased their skills at finding and exploiting vulnerabilities that compromise the perimeter defenses of an application. Attackers are able to bypass the common defenses by employing techniques such as phishing, botnets and social engineering.
A phishing attack is a method of tricking victims into clicking an email link containing malware. The malware downloads onto their computer, allowing attackers to hijack devices or systems to additional info use for other reasons. Botnets are groups of compromised and infected devices, which attackers utilize to launch DDoS attacks and spread malware, as well as to perpetuate fraud on ads, and so on.
Directory (or path) traversal attacks leverage movement patterns to gain access to data on the website, its configuration files and databases. Sanitizing inputs is essential to safeguard against this kind of attack.
SQL injection attacks aim to attack the database that stores critical website and service information by injecting malicious code that allow it to override and reveal information that it wouldn’t normally divulge. Attackers can run commands, dump databases, and more.
Cross-site scripting attacks (or XSS), insert malicious code on a trusted website to take over the browsers of users. This allows attackers to steal session cookies as well as confidential information as well as impersonate users, alter the content, and so on.