Take These Steps to Further Improve Your Authenticated Vulnerability Scans

A flaw in any system can eat the company from the inside without you even knowing and by the time signs appear, it’s too late. However, an authenticated vulnerability scan can help in the timely detection of flaws in the system, protecting businesses and organizations from internal and external threats. While the benefits are self evident, many company’s still fail to adopt this methodology; or those that do, don’t utilize its full potential.

Ignoring the former for now, we focus on certain steps security teams and practicing companies can take to get the most from authentic vulnerability scans.

Knowing your needs

You must know what systems you want to scan with authentication. These may include systems running on a particular operating system or a reserved set of computers. Furthermore, make sure you consider network hosts, databases, relevant web applications and more that require or allow authentication via different protocols like FTP, SSH, Telnet etc. Authenticated scanning is widely used by hackers and malicious users. Therefore, it is a must for you to use it as well.

Determining what levels are to be scanned

You can determine the different user level roles for scanning like basic, managerial, administrative level and more. While you can choose any, it is highly recommended that at a minimum you at least scan at the administrative and root level. Doing so, will help you identify most of the flaws. Of course, the more users you scan the more flaws are likely to appear. We suggest that you continue to a point where results no longer vary by permissions. But then again, it depends on your preferences and needs.

Test on a few systems before opting for enterprise wide scanning

Although authenticity scans of network hosts hardly pose any problems, the same cannot be said about production environments, especially in the case of web application scanning. Nonetheless, it is advised not to take risks no matter what you are scanning, and test out the scanning process on a few systems first. The reason being; at times you may experience certain side effects like user accounts may get locked out, databases may get filled up, CPU and disk consumption might increase and more. Testing before can help you evaluate the side effects that are likely to branch out to all systems once you start scanning all.

Setting up user accounts for scanning beforehand

This may not seem very important but it can save you a lot of time and unwanted hassle. If you do this beforehand, the scanner will easily log in without being prompted to change the password. On the other hand, if you don’t, the scanner will not be able to change the password on its own. As a result, the authentication will not work, and eventually, you’ll have to run the scan again.

If you are looking for vulnerability scanning services or have any general question and queries, feel free to contact us anytime.

Know the Common Web Security Vulnerabilities and How to Fix Them

It is only after a system has been breached and losses have been incurred that most companies realize the importance of web security. Soon afterwards, they go around looking for the best web security service providers without realizing that the most effective, and indeed the best approach, is one that is proactive and defensive.

Hackers are always on the lookout for vulnerable systems and if yours is one, sooner or later it will get attacked. While it is recommended to maintain full security at all times, here we list a few web security vulnerabilities and fixes so you can address them instantly.

Vulnerability-Injection flaws

This is one most common type of problems and results from the failure to filter un-trustworthy input. It happens when unfiltered data is passed to the SQL server, to the browser, to the LDAP server or someplace else. Hackers can inject commands to these entities the result of which is hijacked browsers and loss of valuable data

Solution- Fortunately the solution in this case is pretty straightforward; but has a few implications of its own. While you can simply filter out input data from un-trusted sources, you have to filter it all. In a system of let’s say 10,000 inputs, filtering 9,999 is not enough. Usually, your own framework’s filtering functions do the job just fine.

Vulnerability- Sensitive or valuable data exposure

Data, whether in transit or stored is always vulnerable and therefore must be properly encrypted at all time. Moreover, sensitive information like passwords, bank account or credit card numbers and more must be hashed. In any case the algorithm must be a strong one.

Solution- In the case of stored data, encryption or hashing is the key. Make sure all payments are made using secure payment processors and any unwanted sensitive data is shredded. For transit data, using secure connections-HTTPS- along with secure flags on cookies are the way to go.

Vulnerability- Web server and application mis-configuration

This includes very basic yet very common mistakes like using default passwords or unnecessary services on the machines, running obsolete and outdated softwares, application running with debug enabled protection, having directories that leak information and more.

Solution- Using any legitimate build and deploy script or process can help you tackle almost all of these issues. If it is automated, that’s even better.

These are just a few of the hundreds and thousands of vulnerabilities that pose a 24/7 threat to your systems and, in turn, the business.

If you are looking to make your systems more secure, you should contact us. We provide comprehensive web and mobile application security testing and IT solutions for all types of businesses at affordable prices.

Here Are the Mobile Security Predictions for the Year 2016

According to a research by comScore, the number of mobile internet users outpaced desktop internet users in 2015. As smartphones become more powerful, user-friendly and fast, this trend will likely continue in the future. As a result businesses, big and small, have now started optimizing their offerings for a more mobile friendly experience with the development of exclusive applications and responsive designs.

Consequently, the demand for more secure mobile applications, payment procedure, credential protection and more has also increased. With this, a number of new developments are taking place and new trends are emerging. Here, we shed light on a few mobile security predictions for the year 2016.

Password theft or reuse attacks will decrease

Advancement is biometric technology, coupled with the fact that more new mobile phones have finger printing scanners as a standard feature, are going to play a major role in enhancing data protection and security. Furthermore, the development of advanced password management software and backup solutions has also made it easy to access password repository quickly and safely. As a result, password theft cases and reuse attacks have decreased and will further decline in the future.

Google will step in

According to a research by Alcatel-Lucent in 2014, 0.68% of all mobile devices were infected with malware of which 99% were running on Android; the most widely used mobile operating system in the world. Considering the growing insecurities and efforts to enhancing mobile security, Google has decided to step in. In the future, it is likely to address these issues by clamping down on third party application stores, restrict permission to applications that have not undergone the proper Google Play submission process, develop security standards for apps and more.

iOS will become the next target for hackers  

As the number of iPhone users in the market increases, malware author and hackers in the very close future will turn their attention towards iOS. According to experts, the previously discovered “XcodeGhost” malware in a number of App store applications was just the beginning of what will happen. The first wave of target for these attackers will be the already vulnerable jailbroken iOS devices.

Regulatory and compliance policies will encapsulate mobile devices

Data security compliance practices in the future will include mobile devices as well. While certain countries like Canada and Hong Kong have already taken initiatives, it won’t be long till other countries catch up. Again, this is important because of the ever increasing number of smartphone users, and the rising popularity of hybrid devices- laptop/tablet, phone/tablet.

The need for mobile application security testing services will increase

As security becomes an important concern, companies will outsource and utilize web and mobile application testing and security services in the future, more than ever before. There is no doubt that consumers are becoming more conscious about safety and security of their private data. Who knows, this might just become the decisive factor as to whether a potential customer chooses to use your application or that of your competitor’s.

If you are looking to proactively adapt to the changing trends by making your mobile application more secure, contact us now because it just so happens that we are specialists in doing that.

9 Things Everyone Should Know about Website Security Scans and Why They are a Must for All Serious Webmaster

Website security is a major concern of many website owners all over the world these days. It is not important to know and identify the framework used but you have to still maintain the web application including the server so as to avoid intrusions. Identity thieves and hackers may attack your site in order to get access to your confidential data and files plus to be able to use the server to send abused mails as well as to host a malicious file. In order to prevent such attacks, you have to keep in mind the following things associated with web security scan:

Things You Have to Keep in Mind about Website Security Scan

1. Keep the framework and software updated. Every software development companies repair security bugs in the updated editions of their products so it is a must to check the version of your framework and software then download the recently upgraded version. This way, you will be making your site more secure and safer from attacks online. Usually, hackers make use of the security holes in websites to carry out some malicious activities that can do a significant effect over your site.
2. Make use of impossible to detect, strong and unique passwords. It is always important to make use of strong passwords for the cPanel, FTP accounts and on the email accounts so as to prevent the security breaches. You must make use of small letters, special characters, capital letters and numbers in creating a brand new password to make it strong and impossible to guess for intruders.
3. Always filter JavaScript and HTML. The XSS or Cross Site Scripting is the most typical method that is utilized when it comes to intrusion. The intruders may insert the scripting code in the web forms or they may use JavaScript in running a malicious code. To guarantee security, you have to check the data that has been submitted and then eliminate those unimportant HTML tags.
4. Display the error messages with caution. When the internet users enter wrong login details, there will be a simple error notification that will be displayed on your site. On the other hand, you need to be extra careful when writing a reply for that message. Hackers usually make use of instinctive force attack strategy so that they can get your password and username. Instead of making users aware that they only have to mind the password or the username, you can say that either of them is incorrect. You can also make use of Captcha to add more security for your website.
5. Use client-side and server-side validation. When it comes to preventing any malicious data from being added, you have to make use of both the server-side and the client-side validation.
6. Look at the uploaded files. When your website offers a section where people can upload files, you have to be careful about those files uploaded to your site. Hackers might also upload an infected file to your server in order to run a malicious code.
7. Choose a website security scanner tool from a reliable vendor online.
8. Avoid using free tools online. They might be ineffective.
9. Remember to keep your website security scanner updated. Automatic updates should be enabled for your convenience.

Businesses and webmasters should consider the importance of having an efficient website security scanner to know how vulnerable their websites to hacking and phishing. Consider getting one for your site too today.

7 Simple Steps to Protect Your Website from Most Common Cyber Threats

Your web browser has been attacked. Apart from just tricking you in downloading and installing some malicious software programs, attackers primarily target the flaws present within the browser that you use up to the plugins of it so as to compromise your personal computer. Here are 7 simple steps that you can take so as to protect your website from the most common threats and attacks online:

1. Keeping your web browser up to date. Make use of a new and updated web browser and keep it automatically updated. Never use an out of date web browser such as Apple’s Safari for Windows and any previous editions of Microsoft’s IE. The best browsers that you can use are Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
2. Enabling the click-to-play plugins. It will improve the loading of the web pages and it helps you save battery power and CPU cycles. It also comes with some necessary security advantages. With this, attackers will not be able to use the flaws present in the browser you are using including the plugins in the background.
3. Uninstall the unneeded plugins. There can be many plugins that you do not use. You may uninstall them to keep your website safer.
4. Keep your plugins up to date as well. Any plugin that you always use should be kept updated as well just like your web browser. All you need to do is to let their automatic updates feature enabled to keep them updated every now and then.
5. Make use of a 64-bit internet browser. A 64-bit program typically comes with a greater protection from attacks. You must make use of a 64-bit internet browser, thinking that you use a 64-bit edition of Windows. The ASLR or Address Space Layout Randomization becomes more effective if it is used together with a 64-bit program. Google Chrome is available in 32-bit as well as 64-bit version. On the other hand, there is a great chance that you still make use of the 32-bit version that was previously installed on your device. You have to check and find out whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Google Chrome. If you learned that you are still using the previous version then you should replace it with the 64-bit version. Stable 64-bit version for Firefox is not yet available but you can make use of the developer builds. Mozilla is planning to make a 64-bit version of Firefox that will be made available through the steady network in Firefox 41.
6. Run a program that is against exploitation. An anti-exploit program is something that you can use in order to harden your internet browser against a few of the most typical kinds of attacks. Instead of relying on the antivirus-style blacklist of a specific behavior or software, such kind of program will just prevent some forms of unusual behavior to take place.
7. Beware when using a browser extension. A browser extension is awesome and it is a powerful tool that you can use to customize the web as well as your browser. Also, it is potentially harmful. There are some extensions out there that can insert an advertisement to web pages that you use and perform any other nasty things that you do not want. You may choose to use just some browser extensions only and pick those that will help making your browser run better.

Securing the software of your browse is just a part of this. It is also necessary to avoid those phishing sites or nasty software. Many websites out there attempt to fool you and download viruses or malware instead of the software program that you need.