5 Little-Known Facts That Can Affect Web Application Security

Business applications that hold sensitive information related to business processes and customers are prone to malicious hackers and viruses. Incorporating cost-effective security measures is a must in order to protect this important information and prevent data stealing attacks. If businesses fail to take the necessary web security test measures, they will lose the trust of customers and experience significant losses.

Hackers can use various methods to breach security such as denial of service, SQL injection, cross site scripting and buffer overflow. Vulnerabilities are often used during attacks because it’s easier for hackers to take advantage of these weak aspects. Here are 5 little-known facts that can affect web application security.

1.       99 percent of computers have Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader or Oracle Flash, making them susceptible to exploit kits due to the high level of vulnerabilities present in these types of software. It only takes one click on an infected ad banner to provide a hacker with complete access to the computer. Keeping the software updated or installing a solution that automatically updates the software can be done to protect your computer and sensitive information.

2.       Hackers love social media. People spend a lot of time on social networking sites and tend to click links posted by their friends. Hackers take advantage of this fact.  Some of the most common attacks directed at social media sites are phishing where the hacker tries to get sensitive information such as passwords, credit card info and usernames by posing as a trustworthy entity in a Tweet or Facebook post and social spam that can appear in various forms like malicious links, bulk messages, false reviews and fake friends.

3.       Social engineering is the psychological manipulation of a person into revealing sensitive information or doing actions. It is the favorite way of cyber attackers to manipulate victims and gather information, gain access to systems and commit fraud. Don’t give away sensitive data to strangers or click any malicious links. 

4.       Governments are creating malware and using it in espionage programs or as digital weapons. The malware created by the government makes you more vulnerable to security attacks as it speeds up the development of criminal malware. Cyber attackers do a lot of reverse engineering on malware created by the government and use its technical approach and tactics to develop their own malware. Governments are also trying to restrain people’s right to encrypt sensitive data for the sake of protection against terrorists and cyber criminals. Cyber policies, however, do more harm than good. Learning more about cyber security and keeping tabs on the latest news in the industry is one way of protecting yourself. You can also install an AV solution and a corresponding solution that can boost your protection against security threats and attacks.

5.       Hacktivism is the mutinous use of computer networks and computers to endorse a political agenda. Its ends are often associated with human rights or free speech. The term may have a positive note, but it actually depends on the one using it. Hacktivism can be a vague anti-systemic movement or a politically driven technology hack. It can indicate anti-spam activists or political protest and is the main factor that drives cyber-attacks.

A web security test can confirm if the security processes in the organization comply with the rules and are efficient enough to fight attacks. It ensures that the vulnerabilities are exposed so that these weak aspects are addressed efficiently and accordingly. Web security testing can expose vulnerability to URL redirection, installation path disclosure, cookie manipulation, PHP code injection, file inclusion, SQL injection, Net exception, command execution and script language error. This process helps organizations ensure that their critical processes and sensitive information are safe from malicious hackers and viruses.

The Minimalist Guide to Mobile Application Security: Why Less Can Be More

Mobile applications have become a great help to those who want to take advantage of the latest technology. However, using the latest technology also involves risks. The most common areas where there is threat in security for mobile applications include application provisioning, security monitoring and analysis, user authentication and device management.

Ensuring mobile application security is a must and the “less is more” approach could be more beneficial in achieving this goal. You would think that adding more rules, security tools and safeguards is the best approach. When you take streamlined application design into consideration, you will see why less is more is the better tactic. Try designing mobile applications in a way that the amount of data permitted in device downloads or exposed in apps is minimized. This will help you reduce the risk of revealing sensitive information.

You can also choose what information you will show in a mobile application. For example, you can create a few must have functions or screens instead of presenting large amounts of important data or developing a completely new consumer relationship management system. The best approach is to simplify the mobile app and improve its security and usability.

You can use color codes or icons to limit the information you reveal while expediting navigation. For example, your customers are classified into three levels. Instead of completely defining the full meaning of those levels, a simple color code can give the user a hint about what level a certain customer is in.

Showing a visual icon can deliver information faster in a mobile application. Streamlining the design can also help you display less sensitive information. For example, if an upcoming birthday is noted in the app, the app design could show a simple boxed present image instead of a text reminder. 

It is also important to implement certain security measures. The mobile platform you are using should be equipped with built-in security features that can handle data encryption and allow you to set up authentication and passwords. Some mobile platforms allow applications to be setup so that business information automatically disappears. This feature is particularly beneficial if a device is stolen or lost. If you want to separate your personal information from your business data on your mobile device, there are device management tools that can help you do so. If your device gets stolen or lost, your business data will be deleted right away.

Improving the functionality and security of the mobile app is a must. You have the freedom to choose what you want to reveal in the app. Do not think that including a set of utilities will guarantee the security of your app.  Try using graphical cues and set limits on what can be accessed or downloaded. By doing so, you will be able to develop a mobile app that is more user-friendly and streamlined and reduce security risks for your organization. Design a mobile app with security in mind and don’t forget to test it.

The Future of Penetration Testing: Declaring War on Modern Hacking Techniques

Cyber-attacks have increased. Implementing different security measures is a must for businesses and institutions to ensure that their systems will never become susceptible to any type of penetration. Interruptions in the performance of applications or services can lead to negative press, financial losses, lost customer trust, penalties and fines. A study published by the Ponemon Institute revealed that the average cost of information breach for the affected organization is $3.5 million.

It has become SOP for organizations to conduct penetration testing and vulnerability scans on a regular basis. Such practice is even endorsed by most IT specialists since an attack could lead to disastrous outcomes. Penetration testing assesses an IT infrastructure’s security by safely exploiting vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities may exist in incorrect configurations, hazardous end-user behavior, operating systems and application flaws.

Penetration testing can also help validate the efficiency of defensive mechanism. This process is best conducted by a third party. Ethical hackers are more familiar with possible vulnerabilities than IT professionals who are in charge of running the organization’s network. Their skill and occupation may be the same, but their desired outcome is different.

Importance of Penetration Testing

Also known ethical hacking, penetration testing is conducted by organizations to prevent any attempt to mess with their systems and breach their security. Those performing penetration testing will carry out what attack perpetrators perform, but their main goal is to pinpoint vulnerabilities. The hacking is performed as an important part of the penetration and the one doing it provides periodic reports of how a certain hacking activity is affecting the server security and the website, which is then sent to the organization for proper remediation management.

There are various reasons why organizations should conduct a penetration test.

• Determine if new bugs exist in recently updated software
• Confirm if current control is efficient and properly implemented to secure senior management and IT security handlers
• Determine the weak aspects in the hardware, software and among users in order to create better controls
• Test if the applications being used are vulnerable to attacks
• Develop a strong defense against potential attacks

Security threats haunt web masters every now and then. These problems may arise due to inaccurate configuration, disabling automatic updates and a network security hole in the system. A security breach often happens if proper measures are not taken. Penetration testing should only be conducted by an expert who is known for his integrity and credibility.

How Often Should a Penetration Test Be Performed?

Penetration testing must be conducted on a regular basis to guarantee more consistent network and IT security management. This process reveals how developing vulnerabilities or recently exposed threats may be taken advantage of by attackers. Aside from regularly scheduled assessments and analysis, penetration tests should also be conducted when applying security patches, moving to new office locations, changing end user policies, adding new network applications or infrastructure and applying modifications or upgrades to the existing applications or infrastructure used by the organization.

What to Expect When You Hire a Web Application Testing Service Provider

In simple terms, web application testing is when an online business hires a security assurance service provider such as Lean Security to analyse and test their web applications for potential viruses or cyber threats – either before or during its availability to the World Wide Web.

The task of securing a web application from outside attacks is given to a professional application testing service provider for effective results. The importance of running precise security analysis on your web application shouldn’t be taken lightly; it is during this stage that major issues pertaining to web application security and its operation come are brought to light.

Web Application Testing Checklist

Security experts recommend hiring a professional for this very important job for a reason. Not only will they be better equipped in terms of automated tools, software and skilled expertise; but a professional web application testing will ensure that nothing is left to chance. They will conduct;

Functionality Testing

This is usually done to check if the specifications you intended for your product are met. The functional requirements in the web applications as per the developmental documentation are also checked. The testing analysis is done on;

v  All links (outgoing, internal, anchor, MailTo) in the web-pages to check if working correctly, with no broken links in place.

v  Forms

v  Cookies

v  HTML & CSS

v  Business Workflow

Usability Testing

This has become a vital part of any web based project and application. This is because conducting usability testing on the web application will let you know how easy it is to navigate for users and the target audience. Usability testing can either be carried out by experts, DIY testers or a small focus group that’s similar to the web application’s intended users. With the help of usability testing, online store owners and business can test;

v  Whether the web application is easy to navigate or not

v  Whether the content is easy to read/understand or not

Security Testing

This is by far the most important function carried by web application testing service providers. Why? Security testing of a web application holds vital importance for e-commerce websites as these online stores carry sensitive customer information. Lean Security conducts the analysis of and suggests businesses to keep a look at whether;

v  Unauthorized access is being given to secure pages by the current system

v  Restricted files are being downloaded without the appropriate access and authentication

v  Check sessions are killed automatically after long inactivity by users

v  Websites are being re-directed to encrypted SSL pages on usage of SSL certificates

By having a safe and secure web application, you will only be doing your online business a favour. Customers will prefer the extensive and seamless secure applications that can only be provided by a professional hand. Sign up for our services today!

Top Areas You Shouldn’t Miss While Testing Your Web Applications

The internet has created unlimited opportunities for organizations and companies when it comes to conducting important business transactions and sharing information on a global scale. New levels of security concerns have been brought in the forefront. This is because of the evolving nature of data and information. The sensitive nature of information, critical business applications and client’s private information (financial and otherwise) has come to be in even more risk than before.

Web application security testing ( for mobile apps as well) is therefore an essential requisite for businesses in order to give their clients and customers the peace of mind that only a secure and risk free software can provide. The experts at Lean Security provide the following areas that shouldn’t be over-looked when testing web and mobile applications for vulnerabilities.

Authentication

This is the first entry point that comes when accessing any application - web or mobile based. For effective operation of the application, the authentication should be spot-on. The application should be able to verify incorrect or changed passwords, have the ability to ‘lock up’ if user enters the wrong password a number of times, verify the password rules which are to be implemented on all authentication pages (registration, forgot password, changed password), etc.

Encryption

The security experts at Lean Security state the importance of information (password, account number, credit card numbers) to be displayed in an encrypted format. The cookie information on the other hand needs to be stored in encrypted format. HTTPS should be used and any data transmission over the network needs to be secured.

Session Management

The user shouldn’t be able to access or navigate the application when/if logged out from the system or upon expiration of the user session. The session values should also be displayed in an encrypted format in the address bar. Protocols need to be in place that prohibits the access of secure and unsecure web pages.

Error Handling

In the case of any non-functionality, the system shouldn’t display any exceptions/errors from any server, application or database information. Why? Because application errors often contain information not intended for the user/hacker to view. In its stead, the custom error page should be shown. For this proper exception and error handling is very important. Not conducting a proper job can lead to attacks and disclosure of system level details.

Proper execution of applications testing is absolutely crucial, which can only be carried out by a professional security expert such as Lean Security, the professional security and WAF managed service provider in Australia.