Are you in trouble with the worst web application security issues?
Often most businesses are so dedicated to a wide range of needs wrapped in flexibility, fast, cheap,
in which the focus on achieving it “securely” is missed in the process.
The consequence? – Cybercrime and data breaches on its spike!
As today’s world is relying on the web and web applications, they become most appealing for attackers.
This is the biggest issue this guide is trying to solve.
Table of Content
Web Application – A New Frontier for Cybercrime
Naturally, malicious attackers always prefer channels, which will enable them to cause severe damage for the minimum effort. In this regard, the web app and websites have proven to be the most attractive targets for the attack as they are easier to hack.
Many web apps are basically flawed, making it easier for attackers to steal sensitive data, hijack user inputs and even block service entirely.
Businesses should ensure that the cybersecurity management approach mitigates the most common website attacks, including the top 10 security risks identified by OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project).
Malware
The collective name for malicious code, including spyware, trojans, and viruses which are intentionally developed by hackers to cause harmful damage to the server, computer, client, or network.
DDoS Attack
In a distributed denial-of-service attack, the hackers seize multiple systems like infected computers or smart appliances and use them to overwhelm the normal traffic of the victim to make their online service unavailable.
Ransomware Attack
A type of malware which encrypts the files of the victims and demands payment as ransom. Here, the victims can’t access their data until the ransom is paid.
In the Q1 of 2020, there was a 25% rise in the
ransomware attacks from the Q4 of 2019
Our comprehensive guide on Ransomware prevention will guide you through this difficult situation.
- SQL Injection - one of the most common web security hijacking techniques in which malicious SQL codes are inserted in an executable form for backend database manipulation. Through the injection technique, hackers can steal information like passwords, credit card details, or hijack sessions.
- Security Misconfiguration - it is a security issue that arises because of a configuration error. The application servers, platform, database framework, custom code, and the web server can all be vulnerable.
So, how can you diagnose and prevent security misconfigurations, here are the tips to look
A successful attack on the web app can have destructive consequences, including damage to brand reputation, financial loss, and loss of customer trust. Web application protection is not something impossible.
Application Security - The Solution to Fight Web Security Threats
Businesses often hold a misconception that they need to steer away from is - App security is a hindrance and interferes with the speed and performance of their web applications.
If you aren’t a security expert, you may find it hard to identify what you can do to make sure that your website and app are safe from hackers.
Not sure which security solution is right for your business? Don’t begin to panic, here are the Web Application Security Best Practices to follow:
- Ensure secure coding practice
- Data Encryption
- Cautiously grant access right, permissions, and privileges
- Leverage automation
- Continuously identify, prioritize and secure vulnerabilities
Options to Empower Web Application Security
With every pioneering mind behind creating web apps, there also exists an innovative mind, uncovering ways to find the vulnerabilities in those apps and get into critical data.
So, how to fortify your resistance against web attacks?
1.Ensure Secure Coding Practice
From the biggest cyber attacks and breaches of the past, it’s quite clear that careless mistakes and marginal lapses in web application development have rolled out to be dangerous. Although businesses have figured out the best practices to follow, there are still some significant flaws, which opens the door for bad actors to exploit the weaknesses.
Hence it is crucial to be aware of those blunders and have proper security strategies in place to avoid them.
Here is a list of the top 5 web application security mistakes to avoid while developing:
Mistakes #1: Invalid Inputs
Mistakes #2: Irregular or no web app scans
Mistakes #3: Improper authentication
Mistakes #4: Unconsolidated security measures
Mistakes #5: Outdated software with known vulnerabilities
Are you making any of these mistakes? Then it is high time to fix it.
2.Map Out the Attack Surface with A Web Application Scanner
As the security threat landscape continues to increase, web application scanner is the first step towards proactive web app security. By conducting vulnerability assessment both manual or automated - security gaps, loopholes, vulnerabilities, and weaknesses are identified.
Benefits:
- Identify and Remediate vulnerabilities
- Continuous scans against threats
- Accuracy and reduction of human errors
- Greater visibility to the security posture
- Boost confidence in the web app
With a multitude of options available in the market, you can look out for these 8 Features while choosing web vulnerability scanning solutions and leverage the complete benefits of vulnerability assessment.
Only a few web security scanners can meet that and Indusface WAS is one of them, which not only uncover the vulnerabilities but provide the proper remediations to fix them
3.Cloud-Based Web Application Firewall – Going Beyond the Traditional Firewall
We have got a network firewall – the most common web app security myth.
Don’t get confused with WAF and Network firewall. Check out our guide on NGFWs Vs WAF
Network firewalls are designed to perform certain tasks, and they do not offer complete protection against sophisticated attacks.
A cloud-based web application firewall shields your application from being accessed by botnets, malicious actors, and bad traffic. It stops the malicious requests by monitoring the entire traffic and filtering out the bad traffic.
Benefits:
- Prevention of Malicious Attacks on Data
- Assistance for Effective Business Scaling
- Enhances Security Measures
- Low Ownership Cost
- Zero-day attack protection
The most valuable benefits of web application firewalls are that they work independently from the web app and continuously adjust to app behavior changes.
How can you fireproof your web application security WAF? To enhance the level of security offered by a web application firewall, always lookout for the following feature:
- How instantaneously does it operate when a vulnerability is discovered?
- Does it provide real intelligence and not just virtual patching?
- Is it managed?
- Low Ownership Cost
- How does it correlate to the vulnerability management programs and overall security policies?
- Does it provide security analytics and insights into attempted attacks?
Don’t fire your WAF - A managed cloud-based WAF must have to stop website attacks Just make sure to utilize it as part of your strong cybersecurity management program.
4.Penetration Testing - Act Like A Hacker to Beat Their Own Game
Another crucial ingredient of web application attack mitigation and prevention measures. Pen-testing stimulates real-time attack, which is organized in secure conditions to evaluate the strength of existing web application security, discover loopholes in the applications, networks, and systems and detect vulnerabilities.
How powerful is the penetration testing software?
- Validates which vulnerabilities pose an actual risk
- Mirror real-world attacks
- Save more time through automation
- Prove compliance with Industry regulations
- Continuous Security Monitoring
It is quite challenging for most organizations to figure out which app components to be added to the penetration testing. Here is the pen-testing checklist recommendations from our penetration testers and application security programmers.
5.Partner with The Managed Security Service Provider
“Market size of managed security services is forecast to rise from $31.6 billion in 2020 to $46.5 billion in 2025”
Most businesses don’t possess the proper resources to focus dedicatedly on cybersecurity. Continuous monitoring is now a need to prevent security breaches and this can be best done by managed security service providers
They can guide you through the supervision and administration of your security process. Whether it is about implementing a security system, handling an infrastructure, or setting up an incident response plan, they have your back to ensure you can conduct business as usual even during down times.
Conclusion
Strong web application security measures have aided several businesses to boost their cybersecurity posture. It is being called the crucial tool to stay ahead of hackers.
By implementing these cybersecurity best practices when developing web applications, you can save yourself and your customers from major breaches and give them time to appreciate the advantages of having a web app – rather than worrying over risks.
We hope this guide will be a push to begin your journey on web application security.