Infographic: Five Most Common Security Concerns Businesses Face Today

From untested system to exposed source, read five most common security concerns businesses face today

Web Security Issues You’re Not Addressing

Back in 2013, a popular research study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology concluded that inadequate web security and tools cost the economy as much as $22.2 billion annually.

Things don’t seem to be getting any better. As the modern business environment continues to grow so do the numbers of people looking to exploit key business information transmitted over the internet.

If you are looking forward to web security testing to identify if your website and applications deliver the data safety protection you promised, don’t forget to address the following issues.

Cross Site Scripting

Cross site scripting works by injecting code through a client-side script in the web application’s output. The primary concept behind cross site scripting to get hold of client side scripts and execute imminent steps just like the hacker would want.

It can be used to deface websites on your browser, redirect you to malicious websites and even hijack user sessions.

Broken Authentication

If you have issues like broken session management and authentication, address these issues before anything else. If your authentication credentials are not protected, broken sessions management could be the perfect chance to breach into your company data.

Insecure References

When a web application exposes any reference to an internal implementation page, it is called insecure direct object reference. Internal pages could show up in the form of database records, keys, directories and even other confidential information. It’s as simple as this—when a webpage leads to a reference where critical information is displayed, this page can be used to access other parts of your website including personal data.

Security Misconfigurations

Security misconfigurations often go unnoticed and they are among the most common issues behind security risks and vulnerabilities. A secure configuration must be deployed for database server, web server, frameworks, and the platform.

Double check all configurations as even the slightest error here could end up compromising your entire system.

SQL Injections

SQL injection issues involve a hacker who attempts to use application code to access, corrupt or modify database content. In case the hacker is successful, he/she will be able to edit, alter, read and delete data from backend database. While SQL injections are among the most common web security issues, they are also among the most ignored.

Looking for a penetration testing provider how offers web and application security testing? You’ve come to the right place. We offer a wide variety of services, all aimed at making your websites, applications and IT infrastructures safer and more efficient. Get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Conducting Web Application Testing On Your Own? This Checklist Will Help

All business owners want their websites to work smoothly and leave the right impression on their customers. Apart from the web design and how web applications seem on the surface, there’s a lot that can be done to prevent unpleasant surprises.

One easy way to ensure that your web applications and consequently website is functioning like it should, is to conduct a web application test.

Even though it is better left to pros like us, here is a quick checklist that will allow you to conduct web application tests on your own: 

Functionality

This step includes checking all the links in web pages, forms used to submit information, cookie information and database connections.

Check Links

· Test all internal links

· Test jumping links on same pages

· Test all outgoing links

· Double check for broken links in all the links mentioned above

Check Forms

Forms play a key role in acquiring customer information that facilitates online business operations. Here are a few things you should check here:

· Check default values in fields

· Check validation in all fields

· Check all options to generate forms

· Check fields by inputting wrong values

Usability

All content used across web pages should be logical and easy to understand. Check content for spelling mistakes and avoid use of dark colours. Each and every anchor link should be working; images should be positioned and sized in coherence with the rest of the layout.

There should be a sitemap for all the links in the website with a precise tree view of navigation. Double check onsite search options.

Interface Testing

The primary interfaces are application server and web server. Double check; all the interactions between these servers should be streamlined.

If the database returns with an error message, the application server should be able to catch these errors and display them. Also consider checking what happens when a transaction is interrupted in between. Similarly, find out what happens if the web server connection is reset.

Security Testing

Web application security is essential to ensure that customer data is kept safe and protected at all times.

· If you are logged in with a username and password, try changing the link in the address bar to see what happens.

· What happens when you paste an internal URL on the browser address bar?

· Try inputting invalid username and password details to see how the web application responds.

· Test CAPTCHA.

· If you are using SSL, it should be able to display a logo when users switch between an unprotected and protected webpage.

But that’s not it. There’s a lot more to application security testing than these pointers. As the leading name in the web application security testing industry, we conduct thorough inspections of all your applications, leaving no stone unturned and no gaps left behind.

We also offer highly reliable mobile application security testing services. Get in touch with us to learn more about the services you need.

Application Security Is Fraught With Mystery – 3 Myths Busted

It is not surprising to see that many companies continue to grapple with application security. It could be the ever-evolving digital tools and platforms or the ever-growing risk of breaches and hacks—whatever the reason, if you plan to sell over the internet, you will inevitably have to create web applications with their own security needs and preferences.

However, since the modern business environment is all about start-ups these days, not many entrepreneurs are well versed with web application security.

This means, for them, application security still sits in the grey area. A lot of misconceptions shadow their approach to maintaining security and of course, cost them big bucks down the line.

Here are some of the common myths about applications security and all you need to know about them:

1. We Have A Reliable Penetration Testing Provider On-board, Which Should Be Enough!

Penetration testing offers benefits. Its ability to precisely point out vulnerabilities in the network proactively make it a must have tool for modern business owners. However, penetration testing isn’t enough. By all means, you are still vulnerable to devastating hacks and breaches.

Penetration tests are also conducted on a scheduled basis. This means, your penetration testing provider will probably know what to do and what to expect before they start the next testing cycle. The case isn’t the same with malware attacks that come unscheduled. Without amply application security you could see your business operations at the knees, overnight.

2. There Is No Need To Worry About Application Security Before It Is Launched

If you think so, you are going to multiply your work, increase risks of failure and chances of inappropriate security.

Web applications and mobile applications need reliable security features at all stages of the development process. Once you have the first, potentially buggy version of your application ready for launch, the security features will ensure the shortcomings don’t serve as entry points for hackers.

3. We Primarily Rely On Commercial Software, Therefore Web Application Security Is None Of Our Concern!

You might want to reconsider. Commercial software today contains third party and open source code. These types of codes can contain vulnerabilities that impact surrounding codes until the risks extend to your website.

Whether you are looking for web security testing or mobile application security testing, our pros have you covered. For years, we have been providing a diverse range of clients with exceptional web vulnerability scanner and security tools that directly improve business operations and profitability.

3 PCI Compliance Mistakes You Need to Stop Making Today!

With the digital business environment falling victim to breaches and hacks every day, it is now more important than ever to protect your business operations by ensuring safety for customer data.

Remember the data breach at Target that exposed debit and credit card details of more than 40 million customers? Not much later, FBI found out that there were at least twenty similar cases in the same year.  

This is why if you process customer payments over the internet, it is essential for you to comply with the latest PCI regulations and standards.

But how do you become compliant? While the latest DDS is available on the regulatory authority’s website, there are many companies still encounter compliance failure.  

Here a few mistakes making which may lead to failure in PCI compliance audits.

Network Segmentation

Most business owners don’t realise this but PCI allows segmentation of internal network environments into different silo segments.

Majority of Qualified Security Assessors will advise setting up a PCI only segment that runs only PCI related devices and applications. Simply put, if you separate the PCI components into a segmented silo, you may not need to employ PCI controls across your entire IT network. If you fail to segment your network this way, you may find that low level security parameters lead to PCI non-compliance.

Data Encryption

Since credit and debit card details are constantly in transit from one network to another in order to process payments, this transition is perhaps the most attractive for hackers to breach. This is PCI focuses on implementing stringent encryption for credit card details in transit.

Strong encryption makes the data practically useless when in transit. This is because the complex nature of encryptions require a special key to decrypt, which is only available with you.

Failure to implement the right degree of encryption will always lead to PCI non-compliance.

Basic Configurations

Most of PCI’s configuration instructions are relatively easy to implement across Unix, Windows and other operating systems. However, don’t be dinged for the smaller details.

To stay on the safe side—make sure your company practices basics like default system access set to ‘deny all’, audit logging and stringent password requirements. The passwords should include expiries, length specifications, complexity ratings and all these setting should be in line with PCI’s regulatory guidelines.

Even though you might find this list intimidating, but it is quite easy to implement. Most importantly, all of this is only to help you safeguard your customer’s data and instil a sense of confidence in their behaviour when buying from you.

As the leading provider of penetration testing services, we have been at the forefront of the ecommerce industry, helping a diverse array of clients become PCI compliant. Get in touch to learn more about how PCI compliance works and how our web vulnerability scanner makes things easier and safer for your company.