A web attack is an attempt to exploit vulnerabilities on a website or in parts of it. The attacks could involve a website’s content, web application or server. Websites can provide numerous opportunities for attackers. They could gain unauthorised access to websites and obtain confidential information, or upload malicious content.
Attackers usually look for weaknesses in the structure or content of websites to get access to data, take control of the website or cause harm to users. Common attacks include brute force attacks (XSS) as well as attacks on uploads of files, and cross-site scripting. Other attacks are carried out by social engineering, such as malware attacks, phishing and such as trojans, ransomware or spyware.
The most frequent website attacks are targeted at the web application, which consists of the hardware and software that websites use to display information to its visitors. Hackers are able to attack websites through flaws. These include SQL injection, cross site request forgery, and reflection-based XSS.
SQL injection attacks leverage the underlying databases that web applications use to store and deliver website content. These attacks can expose sensitive information, such as passwords, account logins, and credit card numbers.
Cross-site scripting attacks depend on the flaws of a website’s code to display unauthorised texts or images, alter session details, and redirect visitors to fake websites. Reflective XSS allows an attacker execute arbitrary code.
Man-in-the-middle attacks occur when an uninvolved third party intercepts communications between you and your web server. The third party is then able to modify the messages, spoof certificates, alter DNS responses, and other things. This is a very effective way to manipulate your online activities.