The Importance of Web Security
Using the latest in cloud and mobile technology, organizations can connect with customers and employees more easily than ever before. But that increased mobility also exposes them to more attackers and new attack vectors, including web-based threats. This is why effective web security is more important than ever.
The Definition of Web Security
Web security is the set of policies, infrastructure, and training that prevents users from introducing malware or other threats into the internet network environment through a malicious website. It includes strategies to stop malware installation on local network devices, protect against data theft, and defend against phishing attacks and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
When it comes to defending against these threats, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, an organization needs a full-stack web security solution that leverages multiple technologies to create a holistic defense against attackers and threats.
A key component of a good web security solution is ensuring that all data transfers to and from the website are encrypted with SSL/TLS. This ensures that if any sensitive information is sent over the internet, it is not accessible to criminals. It is essential that any website requesting personal information, such as credit card numbers or login details, is protected with this protocol.
Another crucial part of any web security solution is a WAF (web application firewall) that monitors traffic and blocks any suspicious or malicious activity. In addition, a good WAF will automatically scan for vulnerabilities and deploy patches to prevent exploits from taking advantage of them.
Lastly, it is critical that all web applications are tested for any vulnerabilities before they go live. This is essential because a single vulnerability in a web application can be used by hackers to gain access to an entire business’s internal networks. This can lead to a number of different issues, from stolen passwords to the exfiltration of sensitive customer data.
To test for these vulnerabilities, it is important that an organization uses a combination of tools, such as automated penetration testing, fuzzing and black box testing. Additionally, it is recommended that companies use a WAM (web application management) tool to ensure that all applications are secure and have not been compromised by hackers.
Stopping Zero-Day Attacks
New zero-day threats are introduced in the wild every day, and they can quickly expose current infrastructure that does not have the proper protections in place. To avoid this, it is vital that an organization prioritizes the apps and websites that require the most attention. Organizations should begin by working through a list of significant applications and then work down the list to the more regular applications that do not require as much attention.
IONOS offers a comprehensive web security solution, Site Scan + Repair, which scans up to 500 subpages per day for malware and fixes any detected vulnerabilities. With this service, you can have your entire digital infrastructure protected against cyberattacks, including malware and ransomware. To learn more, contact us today!