There are many ways hackers are able to target web applications (websites which allow you to interact with software through a browser) to steal private information, introduce malicious code, and then take over your computer or device. These attacks exploit weaknesses in web applications, such as such as content management systems, web applications and web servers.
Web app attacks make up an overwhelming portion of security threats. In the past decade attackers have honed their abilities to find and exploiting vulnerabilities that affect the perimeter defenses of an application. Attackers are able to evade the most common defenses by using techniques like phishing engineering and botnets.
Phishing attacks make victims click on an email link containing malware. This malware downloads to their computer, which allows attackers to gain access to devices or systems to use for other reasons. Botnets are networks of infected and compromised connected devices, which attackers utilize to launch DDoS attacks, spread malware, perpetuate fraud in advertising, and much more.
Directory traversal attacks employ patterns of movement to gain access to files, configuration files, and databases on web pages. Input sanitization is required to protect against this type attack.
SQL injection attacks target the database that stores critical website and service data by injecting malicious code, which allows it to bypass security controls and reveal information that it normally wouldn’t. Attackers can run commands, dump database information and more.
Cross-site scripting attacks (or XSS), insert malicious code on a trusted website to hijack 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.