As businesses become increasingly reliant on the internet and web-based applications, it is more important than ever to have a detailed understanding of how these systems work. This article's details will be based on a view from a cyber expert. By understanding the risks and alternatives of these systems, you can be better equipped to protect your business from potential attacks.
What is a web Application
Web applications are one of the mainstay technologies of the modern world. By definition, a web application is a software program that uses the World Wide Web to perform tasks or provide services.
What are Vulnerable Web Applications
A website or web application is considered vulnerable if it does not follow web security best practices and exposes itself to potential attacks. Websites and web apps are often vulnerable due to coding errors, outdated software, or weak passwords. Additionally, websites and web apps can be deliberately designed to be vulnerable to lure in attackers. Some examples of vulnerable websites and web apps include:
- Websites that allow SQL injection
- Websites with cross-site scripting vulnerabilities
- Websites with CVEs
- Outdated versions of WordPress
- Unpatched versions of Drupal
-Insecure Amazon S3 buckets Each of these vulnerabilities can be exploited by an attacker to gain access to sensitive data, deface the website, or launch a distributed denial-of-service attack. As a result, it is essential for website and web app owners to regularly test their systems for vulnerabilities and patch any security holes. By doing so, they can help to prevent their systems from being exploited by attackers.
How can we secure Vulnerable Web Application
Securing online web applications can be a difficult challenge, particularly for those who are less familiar with cybersecurity best practices. The proven one involves a team of experts who use specialized software tools to thoroughly analyze the security of a website or online application. The goal of this type of testing is to identify and fix any vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited by hackers and thereby improve the overall security of an online platform. By engaging in online penetration testing, organizations can help to protect sensitive data and prevent attacks that could compromise their systems and customers' information. And with increasing numbers of businesses now relying on online platforms, it is more important than ever that we work together to secure these vulnerable web applications.
Risks in Web Application
Despite the many benefits of web applications, they also come with several risks. These risks can be divided into two main categories:
- Security risks: as we have seen, web applications are often vulnerable to attack due to coding errors, outdated software, or weak passwords. Additionally, websites and web apps can be deliberately designed to be vulnerable to lure in attackers.
- Privacy risks: another concern with web applications is that they can collect large amounts of data about users without their knowledge or consent. Additionally, some web apps have been known to contain malware that can infect a user's device.
Alternative for Web Application
As a result of these risks, some businesses have decided to move away from web applications and toward alternative solutions. Desktop applications are programs that are installed on a user's computer and run locally, rather than being accessed through a web browser. While desktop apps do come with some risks, they are generally considered to be more secure than web apps as they are not as easily accessible to hackers. Additionally, desktop apps tend to be more private as they do not collect as much data about users.
Another alternative to web applications is mobile apps.Like desktop apps, mobile apps are considered to be more secure than web apps as they are not as easily accessible to hackers. However, mobile apps can also pose a privacy risk as they can collect data about users' location, contacts, and activity.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use web applications or alternative solutions depends on the specific needs of a business. Businesses that require high levels of security and privacy may want to consider using a desktop or mobile apps instead of web apps. However, businesses that rely on the functionality and flexibility of web apps may decide that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Conclusion
Web applications are a convenient and powerful tool that can be used by businesses of all sizes. However, web apps come with a number of risks that businesses should be aware of. By understanding these risks, businesses can make an informed decision about whether to use web apps or alternative solutions.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).