Indeed, web applications can have a significant impact on businesses. Nevertheless, despite their convenience, there are several drawbacks when you rely more on web apps for your business progress. For instance, web application attacks are familiar, and businesses need to guard themselves against software threats and vulnerabilities. Sadly, most web developers ignore such security threats until the end.
Remember, there is no 100% guarantee for safety and to keep web application attacks at bay. However, you can take some preventive measures and follow practical steps to mitigate sustaining damage. According to the recent hack report findings by SUCURI, more than 50% of websites are infected with security threats and vulnerabilities, mainly when built on CMS (Content Management System).
Let us explore some common web application security threats and the best possible ways to avoid them.
Web Application Security Threats & Ways to Avoid Them
If you have recently started using the web application, here are some common web app threats to look out for. Besides, we highlight ways to avoid such threats and web application security vulnerabilities.
1- Injection Attack
It is one of the most common types of web app security threats. If your web app is vulnerable to injection attacks, it can receive untrusted data from input fields without proper sanitation. The attacker provides malevolent input to a web app (inject it).
Once the application processes the injected input, it responds in undesired ways. For example, it starts revealing confidential information that shouldn’t be disclosed. Moreover, it permits users that should not have given needlessly. It can also run harmful code on the server or the client.
Email header injections, SQL injections, and Cross-site scripting are typical examples of injection attacks.
Prevention: Here’s what you can do to avoid web application security vulnerabilities, including injection attacks.
- You must keep queries and commands away from untrusted inputs
- Using safe programming functions for SQL injections is impossible
- Sanitize all the inputs, including login forms, etc.
Only the expert and certified web app developer can take effective preventive measures to mitigate the risks associated with injection attacks.
2- Security Misconfiguration
Different complex elements support web application functioning and set up its security infrastructure. It incorporates firewalls, databases, OS, and other software applications.
Prevention: You all must know that such elements often require maintenance and configuration to function correctly. We strongly recommend you communicate with your web app developer and discuss security configuration and priority measures taken while developing the app.
Also, try scheduling the Penetration Tests for your newly developed app, as it’s an ideal way to test your web app’s capabilities and how it handles sensitive data. Indeed, it’s the quickest way to determine the threats and vulnerabilities associated with your web app.
3- Broken Authentication
It is an umbrella term that has given to vulnerabilities wherein session management tokens, and authentications are not implemented correctly.
It’s a complicated issue as an improper implementation of authentications makes it possible for hackers to claim legitimate users’ identities and their access to sensitive data.
Prevention: You can do different things, including;
- You can implement multi-factor authentication
- Don’t forget to invalidate a session ID as soon the session ends
- End sessions after a specific period of inactivity
- The simplicity of passwords must be avoided by placing limiters
As mentioned earlier, broken authentication is an umbrella term, and taking the preventions mentioned above can indeed resolve the issue.
4- Malware
The presence of malware is another major web app security threat that needs to be protected at any cost. Malware has distinct categories, and they all have other goals, including worms, viruses, spyware, Trojans, etc.
No denial, downloading malware seems a simple activity but causes some severe consequences, including easy access to sensitive data and confidential information.
Prevention: The best way to combat the issue is to keep your firewalls installed and updated every time. Additionally, don’t forget to update your operating systems more often. The expert developers can also suggest and implement some effective measures to reduce the probability of malware. The plugins need to be updated as well. So, never overlook such aspects if you want to avoid security threats.
5- Phishing Scam
Such swindles and attacks are associated with the email marketing efforts. These threats make your emails look legal and come from legitimate sources. The core objective of such emails is to access sensitive information, account numbers, and other sensitive data.
Prevention: If you genuinely want to avoid such undesirable accidents, then ensure your employees are aware of such suspicious emails. Do not forget to take preventive measures as you can never take effective actions without them.
For instance, do not forget to scan links and files before downloading them. Furthermore, you can also contact the person to confirm the legitimacy.
Wizspeed Secures Web Applications for Your Business Success
Indeed, threats and vulnerabilities are common with web apps. However, developing your security code can mitigate the risk of vulnerability.
You can also contact Wizspeed because our web app developers can secure web applications for better business success.
