What is Web Attack?
There are numerous ways that attackers can target web applications (websites that allow you to interact with software using browsers) to steal sensitive information, introduce malicious code, and then take over your computer or device. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in web applications, such as and content management systems as well as web servers.
Web app attacks account for the majority of security threats. In the past 10 years attackers have increased their ability to identify and exploiting vulnerabilities that compromise application perimeter defences. Attackers can evade the most common defenses by leveraging techniques such as phishing, social engineering, and botnets.
Phishing attacks make victims click on an email link with malware. This malware is downloaded onto the victim’s system and grants attackers access to systems or devices. Botnets are a collection of infected or compromised connected devices used by attackers to carry out DDoS attacks, spreading malware, perpetuating fraud in advertising and more.
Directory traversal attacks utilize patterns of movement to gain access to configuration files, files, databases, and other files on web pages. To protect yourself from this type of attack requires an appropriate sanitization of inputs.
SQL injection attacks attempt to attack the database that stores crucial information about websites and services by injecting malicious code that permit it to reveal information that it would not normally reveal. Attackers then execute commands, dump databases and more.
Cross-site scripting (or XSS) attacks insert malicious code into a secure website to hijack browsers of users. This enables attackers to steal session cookies and confidential information to impersonate users, alter content, and more.