Web development is super exciting, especially now when technology is rapidly advancing. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are evolving alongside it. That could be an enormous cybersecurity threat for all current and future web developers.
If you are working in this field, the best thing you can do is learn about possible cyber security threats and try your best to prevent them. That is the only way to stay ahead of hackers and beat them at their own game. So let’s dive deep into this topic.
Types of cyber security threats
General cyber protection
Before you do anything, it is crucial to secure your personal computer and connection. Apps like VPN can help with overall cyber protection, whether you need it at home or work. VPN on a router is a nifty tool that can encrypt the information you send or receive on any device connected to the same network.
Remember that to install a VPN on a router, you need to check with your VPN provider first. Some of them don’t offer this feature. And you should have a compatible router too. Other standard cyber security apps like antivirus software can come in handy. Make sure you are running the latest version of it at all times. Regular updates are an absolute must.
Cross-Site scripting
Cross-site scripting or XSS is more common than you think. This type of cyberattack allows hackers to hijack the interactions between a user and an application. Hackers can pose as regular users and have access to their personal information. They could take down entire applications if a user has admin privileges.
Cybercriminals use cross-site scripting in three ways: reflected XSS, stored XSS, and DOM-based XSS. Each exploits a different part of a website or application. Phishing and capturing keystrokes are all versions of cross-site scripting. This cyberattack is different from SQL injection because cross-site scripting targets users and looks for vulnerabilities. SQL injection is concerned with databases.
SQL injection attacks
SQL injection is another frequent cyber threat that targets databases. Essentially, hackers aim to inject malicious code into SQL statements by using a webpage. They use Python or Perl to write the malicious code. If successful, SQL injection can completely obliterate your database. Additionally, cybercriminals might also use it to get their hands on personal information and spread malware.
Super successful companies like Sony Pictures, Yahoo, and LinkedIn have experienced SQL injection attacks in the past. If you are worried about SQL injection, limit root access to most accounts immediately. Furthermore, a firewall can also be valuable in these situations. And don’t forget regular data cleaning.
Weak passwords
Weak passwords for authorization are one of the most exploited ways to access a business or company. There are several types of authentication out there, and they have different levels of security. Passwords themselves are easy to break into, even if you create a long and elaborate one. Cybercriminals use techniques such as brute force and bots to uncover login credentials. Once they log in, they can make various changes and fully disable any access to the account.
The authentication process should have several levels where possible. With that said, apps and services now have two-factor authentication that can do plenty for cyber security. It ensures that you are the only person who has access to your account. Even if two-factor authentication exists, you can add extra safety by protecting session tokens and using a timeout session.
Securing the data
As a web developer, you need to be concerned about securing the data. Many cyberattacks in the last decade had only one goal – data leak. And it seems like cybercriminals target businesses and companies of all sizes. No one is safe now, and you shouldn’t allow hackers to create a system breach.
Encryption is your best friend, so remember to use it when securing any sensitive data that could be of interest to cybercriminals. Customer names, as well as their financial and personal information, should be heavily protected. Since these are stored in databases, focus on them. Besides that, encryption will allow your information to be intercepted, but cybercriminals won’t be able to access it, which is another plus.
