In the last decade, millions of businesses and organizations have accepted the Web as a cost-effective http://neoerudition.net/avg-secrets-and-features method to communicate with customers and conduct business. This includes the use of web applications that collect and store data such as customer information that is submitted via content management systems shopping carts inquiries or submit forms and login fields.

Because these applications are internet-connected and often accessed from anywhere in the world They are vulnerable to attacks that exploit weaknesses in the application’s infrastructure. SQL injection attacks which exploit weaknesses in databases, could compromise databases that store sensitive data. Attackers could use the leverage they gain through compromising your Web application to locate other, more vulnerable systems in your network.

Other common Web attack types include Cross Site Scripting attacks (XSS), which exploit vulnerabilities in the web server to inject malicious code into web pages, and it executes as an infected script in the victim’s browser. This lets attackers gain access to confidential information, or redirect the user to phishing websites. XSS attacks are most common on message boards, blogs and web forums.

Distributed attacks on service (DDoS) comprise hackers banding together to overwhelm a website with more requests than it is able to handle. This can cause a website’s performance to suffer or even cease to function completely. This can affect the ability to handle requests, and makes it inaccessible to all. DDoS attacks can be devastating for small businesses, such as local bakery or restaurant that rely on their website for operations.