Security on the Web

Why Does Security Matter?

The Internet stands as one of humanity's most influential creations because it enables worldwide communication and information sharing. The Internet provides numerous advantages to users but it also creates substantial security threats. Websites contain diverse types of data, which include non-sensitive content and sensitive information including usernames, passwords, financial records, proprietary algorithms, and private business details. Safeguarding this type of information is the central objective of web security [9].

If information of this type is attacked:

• The company faces a competitive disadvantage if proprietary information is breached.
• Services could face disruption, be disabled or hijacked which cause operational or financial impact.
• The personal information of customers could be exploited, compromising personal privacy, consumer profiling, identity theft, or even direct financial loss [9].

Web security has become increasingly important as cyber attacks have continued to grow in frequency and cost. Cyber attacks had an estimated cost to the global economy of $8 trillion in 2023, and that is expected to increase to $10.5 trillion by 2025. Each day there are approximately 2200 attacks, which indicates that organizations, users, and digital assets all need good security [10]. The severity of these threats is reinforced by studies that indicate that more than 85% of websites are vulnerable to at least one type of attack, which indicates the urgency of having good security [11].

Overview of Web Security

Web security refers to the practices, technologies, and protocols that protect websites, web applications, and online services from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other attacks [10]. Web security aims to protect sensitive information, IT systems, and the user community to keep the web as secure as feasible. Practices and tools include secure communications protocols such as HTTPS [9], identity and access controls that help ensure only authorized users can reach sensitive data, system monitoring tools, firewalls to block unauthorized traffic and isolate the local network from external environment, web filtering tools to deny access to unsafe content, and antivirus software to identify and remove malware [11]. Security measures also includes identity authentication using multifactor authentication (MFA), encrypting data both while it moves across networks (in transit) and when it is stored on servers or databases (at rest), regularly identifying vulnerabilities, and educating users of common threat actors such as phishing, along with frequently monitoring the system to respond quickly to suspicious activity [10]. As cyberattacks become more frequent, maintaining web security calls for proactive measures and frequent updates to protect data and systems.

Common Web Threats

When discussing web threats, it's important to notice that many attacks are successful because web applications either place too much trust in data received from browsers or fail to handle it with enough caution [12]. The following are some of the most common threats encountered on the web:

1. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
   Malicious scripts are injected by attackers into a reliable website, and users' browsers execute them. This can lead users to dangerous websites, steal cookies, or take over sessions. One of the most commonly reported vulnerabilities in web applications in the past has been XSS [12].
2. SQL Injection (SQLi)
   Attackers alter or expose private data by manipulating input fields, such as search boxes, login forms, or URL parameters, to send malicious commands to a website's database. The database on the website may be destroyed by SQL Injection [13].
3. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
   By sending requests that the website considers to be authentic, attackers deceive a logged-in user into carrying out undesirable actions on the website, like altering account settings or completing transactions [12].
4. Broken Access Control and API Vulnerabilities
   When a website or API fails to appropriately limit user actions, it creates broken access control, which gives hackers access to data or features that are not authorized. Attackers can target microservices by altering JSON parameters, API keys, or other data, or they can take advantage of authentication weaknesses in contemporary API-first systems, where web services depend on APIs. These flaws may also make it possible for attacks such as cross-site request forgery (CSRF), in which programs do not confirm that users intended particular actions [14].
5. Phishing and Spam
   Phishing is the practice of tricking people into sharing passwords, credit card numbers, or other private information by using phony websites, emails, or messages [15]. Spam frequently aids phishing by spreading a lot of false information.
6. Malware Installation
   Infected downloads, advertisements, or links can covertly install malicious software on a user's computer. Once operational, it has the ability to damage files, track activities, and steal data.
7. Data Breaches
   Unauthorized access to a company's private data constitutes a data breach. Errors, inadequate security, or intentional actions are frequently the cause of these incidents. Financial losses, reputational damage to a business, legal problems, and possible misuse of personal data are all consequences of data breaches [10].
8. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS)
   Attackers use numerous compromised computer systems to flood a website or server with traffic, rendering it unusable or sluggish for authorized users [16].
9. Clickjacking
   Attackers may conceal a malicious link beneath a genuine button to fool users into clicking on something different from what they see. A hidden page under the attacker's control may be displayed when a user clicks on what looks to be a trustworthy website [12].
10. Cryptographic Failures
    Sensitive information may be exposed to hackers due to inadequate or badly executed encryption. This includes failing to secure data during transmission or storage, utilizing outdated algorithms, or storing keys in an unsafe manner. These flaws make organizations extremely vulnerable to increasingly complex attacks [14].

Staying Secure Online

Protecting yourself or your organization from web threats requires a combination of good practices, tools, and awareness. The following strategies can help reduce risks and improve overall web security:

1. Use Strong Authentication
   Use strong passwords at all times, don't use the same ones for different accounts, and whenever you can, turn on multifactor authentication (MFA). Attackers find it more difficult to obtain unauthorized access as a result [12].
2. Keep Software Up to Date
   To address known vulnerabilities and prevent attacks, apply security patches and updates on a regular basis [11].
3. Encrypt Sensitive Data
   Encrypt sensitive data during transmission and storage, and use HTTPS for secure communication. HTTPS is based on Transport Layer Security (TLS), which encrypts data while it is being transmitted to guard against third parties intercepting or abusing it. Use strong, modern algorithms and safeguard cryptographic keys as well [9].
4. Use Firewalls and Security Tools
   Use intrusion detection systems, firewalls, antivirus programs, and website filters to stop malicious traffic and stop malware infections.
5. Infrastructure Resilience
   To promptly restore systems in the event of DDoS attacks, put backup, logging, and incident response plans into action.

Conclusion

Writing secure code, putting email authentication protocols into place, educating users, increasing awareness, and more are examples of additional safe practices.