There are several ways attackers are able to target Web applications (websites that allow you to connect directly to software through the browser), to steal confidential data or introduce malicious codes or hijack your computer. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in components such as web apps, content-management systems and web servers.
Web app attacks constitute large proportions of security threats. In the last decade, attackers have improved their abilities to find and exploiting vulnerabilities that compromise the perimeter defenses of an application. Attackers are able to circumvent the most common defenses by using methods like phishing, social engineering and botnets.
A phishing attack involves tricking victims into clicking on an email link that has malware. This malware is downloaded onto the victim’s computer, and gives attackers access to systems or devices. Botnets are a group of compromised or infected devices used by attackers to carry out DDoS attacks as well as spreading malware, perpetuating fraud through ads, and much more.
Directory traversal attacks utilize the use of movement patterns to gain access to files, configuration files, and databases on a website. The need for input sanitization is to guard against this type of attack.
SQL injection attacks attempt at the database that holds critical website and service information by injecting malicious codes that permit it to reveal information that it would not normally reveal. Attackers are then able to execute commands to dump databases, and many other things.
Cross-site scripting (or XSS) attacks insert malicious code into a my link secure website to take over browsers of users. This enables attackers to steal session cookies and sensitive information, impersonate users, manipulate content, and much more.