Types of Vulnerabilities in the Cyber Security World
Having an understanding of the various types of vulnerabilities that can be found in the cyber security world can be helpful in protecting your business. There are several types of vulnerabilities including Web attacks, cross-site scripting, SQL injections, dictionary attacks, and Man in the Middle attacks. These types of attacks can be used to hack into a network or database.
Web attacks
Several different types of web attacks can lead to data theft and identity theft. Hackers steal passwords and other sensitive information through phishing schemes, rootkits, and malware. They can also be used for extortion or fraud. Cybercriminals can hijack a user's experience by using XSS or SQL injection attacks.
XSS attacks are used by cybercriminals to gain access to users' sensitive information and payment details. The hackers exploit vulnerabilities in software and systems that lead users to webpages. They may also attempt to inject malicious JavaScript into a website. This code can be used to trigger executive functions or further malicious activity.
SQL injections
Using SQL injections to tamper with a website's database is a very common way to compromise your system. It gives attackers a chance to bypass authentication, modify data, and install backdoors. In some cases, this can result in permanent access to your system. While most web applications come with built-in protection against SQLi, older technologies do not. However, newer web development technologies offer mechanisms to prevent SQLi attacks.
It is also important to remember that web applications often load cookies, which are often used as part of database operations. However, cookies are not always secure, and malware can be deployed on user devices to modify cookies.
Parameter tampering
Several web applications are at risk of a tampering incident, including the aforementioned social media sites. In addition, many applications contain valuable personal and business data that can be compromised in the wrong hands.
A web application with sufficient server-side input validation can mitigate the threat. However, it's important to conduct a rigorous security test of the website and application as a whole. There are several ways to do this. Besides checking the security settings, it's also a good idea to perform routine security checks of URLs to protect them from newer viruses and other threats.
A good rule of thumb is to perform one security check per day. These checks will help you identify potential weaknesses in your security settings, and thus, the opportunity to mitigate a tampering incident.
Dictionary attack
Using words from a dictionary to break into a system is called a dictionary attack. It's a type of brute force attack and usually involves automated software.
Dictionary attacks are a great way to hack into user accounts of financial institutions. They can steal payment card details, personal data and intellectual property.
The best way to prevent a dictionary attack is to create strong passwords. Some websites force users to change their passwords after a certain period of time. Others use a system to automatically lock out user accounts after three failed password attempts.
This may not be a foolproof way to secure your system, but it will at least minimize the damage.
Cross-site scripting
XSS (cross-site scripting) vulnerabilities can be exploited by cybercriminals to manipulate user interactions, steal information, and spread malware. This type of attack can target any web application or website. However, XSS is most common in web applications, including search engines, message boards, and comment boxes.
An attacker will exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the code of a trusted website. The script can then be executed in the victim's browser. The attacker can then use the malicious code to carry out any action he desires. Some types of scripts include JavaScript. These scripts can steal sensitive information such as credit card information.
Man in the Middle
Among the many cybercrimes, man in the middle attacks (MITM) are a particular threat. They involve cybercriminals manipulating a website to gather data from users and then redirecting the traffic to a spoofed website.
In this type of cybercrime, the attacker tries to capture sensitive personal information. They may be able to intercept data from online banking transactions, emails, or even credit card numbers. The victim may not even know they are being targeted.
Generally, these attacks occur on public Wi-Fi networks. If you are using a public Wi-Fi network, make sure to patch your hardware and software to protect yourself. Also, use a secure DNS cache or DNS server to ensure the safety of your information.