Top 10 Common Website Vulnerabilities

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SQL injection is one of the most well-known and dangerous vulnerabilities. By allowing attackers to insert malicious SQL queries, it provides access to databases. Attackers use input forms on the site to enter their commands, which can lead to the theft of user data, such as logins and passwords, or even complete data loss.



How to protect yourself: Use prepared statements wallis and futuna b2b leads and ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) to avoid direct interaction with SQL, which significantly reduces the risk of injections.



2. XSS (Cross-site scripting)



Cross-site scripting (XSS) allows attackers to inject scripts into a page so that they will be executed in other users' browsers. This can lead to the theft of session tokens, credentials, or other types of abuse.



How to protect yourself: Use escaping tools (such as HTML escaping) for all user input and regularly update the library to protect against XSS attacks.



3. CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery)



A CSRF attack tricks a user into performing an unwanted action on a site they are logged into, such as changing a password or transferring funds. The attacker can use hidden forms and other methods to initiate such actions on behalf of the user.

How to protect yourself: Use CSRF tokens that verify the authenticity of the request, and add headers to requests to verify that they come from your site.



4. Software vulnerabilities



Most websites use content management systems (CMS) and third-party plugins. Outdated versions of software may contain known vulnerabilities that are actively exploited by hackers. Using outdated software

makes web applications vulnerable and easy to attack.



How to protect yourself: Regularly update all elements of your web application, from the CMS to plugins. Set up automatic updates where possible.



5. Unauthorized access



Weak passwords and poor account security allow attackers to easily gain access to user accounts, including administrators, opening the door to further attacks.



How to protect yourself: Use multi-factor authentication and encourage your users to create complex passwords. It’s also a good idea to perform regular account security audits.



6. Unhandled errors



Errors that occur on a website can reveal information about the internal architecture and can be used to plan attacks. Incorrectly displayed error messages can give attackers clues on how to exploit vulnerabilities.



How to protect yourself: Set up error handlers so that they do not provide users with redundant information. Log errors for internal analysis.



7. Authentication issues



Incorrect implementation of authentication mechanisms can lead to unauthorized access to important sections of the site. For example, using lightweight password verification methods can allow attackers to easily bypass authentication.



How to protect yourself: Implement strong authentication protocols such as OAuth or OpenID Connect. Conduct regular security audits of your authentication process.



8. Cross-site scripting attacks on APIs



Your APIs must be securely protected from malicious actors who can make requests on behalf of users. If your API is exposed to outsiders, it can lead to data leaks and other types of attacks.



How to protect yourself: Restrict API access through authentication and authorization. Use access tokens and verify their authenticity.



9. Not using HTTPS



The lack of an encrypted connection (HTTPS) makes websites vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, where an attacker can intercept data between the client and the server.



How to protect yourself: Always use HTTPS for your site, this will not only protect your data but also increase user trust.



10. Server configuration errors



Misconfiguration of a web server can lead to the dissemination of confidential information. Configuration files that are accessed by mistake can become the object of an attack.



How to protect yourself: Perform regular configuration checks of all connections and services. Restrict access to critical files and directories.



Conclusion
Each of these vulnerabilities poses a serious threat to website security, and ignoring them can have serious consequences. It is important to not only be aware of these vulnerabilities, but also to actively work to eliminate them. Regular security audits, implementing best coding practices, and using modern security tools will help keep your web platform secure.