Category: Security Page 1 of 67

Understanding Web Application Attacks

On September 28, 2022

Web application threats are constantly on the rise. The sophistication and speed of web application cyberattacks can cause significant damage to businesses. In most cases, they result in further security breaches, which may have financial and legal consequences.

The most common reasons for web application attacks are incorrectly configured web servers, bad application architecture, and failure to check or sanitize form inputs. It is important to have a basic understanding of how these attacks work.

Here is a list of the most significant web application security issues:

Unwanted exposure of sensitive data

Sensitive information can be easily hacked if security measures like encryption at rest or in transit are not used during communication with the browser. Criminals can steal or manipulate information and commit cybercrimes like credit card fraud, identity theft, etc.

CSS or XSS (Cross Site Scripting)

CSS or XSS (Cross Site Scripting) security flaws aid attackers in running scripts in a user’s browser to damage websites, hijack user sessions or redirect users to other domains.

Software and integrity failures due to insecure deserialization

Deserialization issues frequently lead to remote code execution and provide hackers the ability to carry out a wide range of attacks.

XML external entities misconfiguration

Insecure XML processors expose users to the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of existing data, and execution of malicious code. This vulnerability also allows Remote Code Execution, Denial of Service, and Server Side Request Forgery by cyber criminals.

Parameters and URL injections

An injection vulnerability, such as a SQL, OS or LDAP injection vulnerability, arises when an interpreter receives a command or query containing suspicious input. An attacker’s hostile data could lead the interpreter to access data without authorization or execute undesired commands. This could lead to the deletion of tables, unauthorized viewing of lists, and unauthorized access to the administration system.

Broken or insecure authentication

This occurs when application functionalities responsible for session management and authentication are incorrectly implemented. It lets attackers take over the identities of other users temporarily or permanently. It’s also easy for them to steal session tokens, passwords, or keys.

Use of software libraries and packages with security loopholes

A server takeover and significant data loss can result from an assault on weak software components. For example, an application may be using a weak or compromised version of the software framework or the libraries in application development, which may be exploited by attackers.

Inadequate security logging and monitoring

Inadequate recording, monitoring, and integration of event response can aid attackers in launching more attacks on systems. This allows attackers to further escalate their attacks.

Flawed access control restrictions

Access control lets you control which parts of a website and which application data different visitors can visit. If these restrictions are not correctly imposed, attackers can easily exploit these vulnerabilities to access restricted data.

Misconfigured security settings and features

It provides an easy entry point for attackers into the website and is one of the most severe web application security vulnerabilities. Attackers can use inadequate or ad hoc configurations, exposed cloud storage, verbose error messages containing sensitive data, and improper HTTP headers.

Organizations should follow secure coding standards to create robust and secure web applications. To create secure website applications contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213 – 4740, Dallas (972) 375 – 9654, Atlanta (404) 994 – 5074, and Austin (512) 956 – 5454.

How To Secure Smart Homes?

By centexitguy

On September 27, 2022

In Security

PDF Version: how-to-secure-smart-homes?

How To Tell If Your Device Is Affected By Cryptojacking?

By centexitguy

On August 31, 2022

In Security

As a form of cybercrime, “cryptojacking” includes the illegal use of victims’ equipment (personal computers, mobile phones, tablets, and even servers) to “mine” for bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. A victim’s computer may be infected with cryptojacking software via phishing, code download from fraudulent websites, or other malicious techniques. Cryptojacking can also occur via code embedded in digital advertizements or web pages that are only activated when the victim visits a particular website.

Why should you be worried about hackers cryptojacking your devices?

A sluggish computer and a larger electricity bill are classic indicators of cryptojacking attacks on a personal laptop used at home. Targeted crypto mining on a massive scale might cause severe damage to a business. System failures and downtime impair sales and corporate productivity and transform expensive, high-performance servers into costly, low-performance servers. As computational resources are diverted from their intended use to suit the needs of cryptocurrency miners, operational costs inevitably increase. Furthermore, the presence of cryptocurrency mining software on the network is indicative of more serious cybersecurity concern.

How to tell if your devices have been Cryptojacked?

The objective of cryptojacking is to mine more cryptocurrency while going undetected for as long as possible. Cryptojacking malware is made to utilize as much power as it requires while remaining undetected. There are several indicators that cryptojacking malware has been installed on your computer. Some of these are:

Slower working of devices

The efficiency of computing devices is lowered by cryptojacking. Be wary of gadgets that operate slowly, crash, or have particularly poor performance. You should also pay attention to decreased system performance. Batteries that deplete more quickly than they normally would are another sign.

Increase in heat dissipation by the processor and CPU fan

If your computer gets too hot, which might be the result of a cryptojacking website or software, the fan will speed up to cool things down. A cryptojacking script may be present on a website or computer if the user notices that their device is overheating and the CPU fan is constantly operating at a greater speed.

Heavy utilization of CPU or computational resources

If your CPU usage goes up when you visit a site with few or no media files, this could be a sign that cryptojacking scripts are running. You can test for cryptojacking by keeping an eye on how much the CPU is being used. You can use the Activity Monitor or Task Manager to check this.

Quicker battery discharge

Due to an increase in CPU utilization and fan speed, the power consumption of devices and computing systems increases dramatically. This causes the battery to deplete faster. Therefore, if you observe that the device’s battery is draining quickly, this could be a symptom of cryptojacking

Increased electricity costs due to cryptojacking

An increase in power consumption by the infected devices leads to higher electricity usage. An unexpected spike in electric power consumption can also be a possible indicator of devices being infected by cryptojacking malware

Centex Technologies provide cybersecurity and network security solutions to businesses. For more information, you can contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213 – 4740, Dallas (972) 375 – 9654, Atlanta (404) 994 – 5074, and Austin (512) 956 – 5454.