Best Practices for Database Security
The Australian Cyber Security Centre received more than 13,500 reports of cybercrime in the three months between July and September 2019.
That’s just three months!
Individuals and businesses alike have to deal with the consequences of growing cybercrime. Big and small businesses realize that they’re vulnerable to potential attacks. As a result, most businesses have made major security investments. One of these is employing penetration testing services to highlight weaknesses in their systems.
Here are some best practices your company can adopt to make sure your information stays safe and secure.
Conceal Sensitive Information
Just like you conceal valuables to prevent potential theft at home, you need to conceal sensitive data. This means making sure that you have anti-virus software in place to protect against possible Trojans and malware.
There are other ways to make sure that your information isn’t easily accessible. One technique is to use built-in passwords to lock files such as Excel Sheets and PDFs. This adds another layer of protection and ensures that only the right people can access the data.
Another technique is to encrypt data. This way, hackers will be unable to make sense of the information, even if they can access it.
Manage Data Better
When sending data to another party, there is a possibility of leaks and data breaches. To control this, you can restrict the receiver with certain controls—such as read-only capability.
There are even tools available to limit the recipient from forwarding emails or accessing them after some time has passed. For transmissions over a wireless network, secure them using encryption and user passwords.
Update Regularly
As threats evolve, so should your defences. Once you’ve updated your systems, don’t get complacent. Keep carrying out routine security checks to ensure that your system is up-to-date and as robust as possible.
One way to do this is by using penetration testing services for your site and mobile applications. Penetration testing simulates a real cyber attack and reports the results. The test checks your system for vulnerabilities that could be exploited in the event of a real attack.
Lean Security offers AI-powered penetration testing services to companies all over Australia. We check for a multitude of vulnerabilities on web and mobile applications.
To find out more, give us a call at +61 (2) 8078 6952 or message us here.
Beware of These 4 Types of Cyber Attacks to Preserve Your Company’s Reliability
Here’s a list of the most common cyber attack types that can threaten your systems.
In the 2013 film, Escape Plan, Ray Breslin—played by action superstar Sylvester Stallone—is the owner of a security firm that specializes in testing prisons for weaknesses.
In the movie, Stallone is hired by prison wardens to pose as an inmate so he can study the facility. As the name suggests, he exploits vulnerabilities in the facility and eventually escapes.
With the results of his study, the wardens were able to strengthen the security they had in place and prevent actual security breaches.
Now think of a company’s database like a prison. And instead of preventing someone from getting out, you want to stop a threat from getting in.
Well, that’s where penetration testing service comes in.
Penetration testing is an authorised simulation that replicates a cyber attack. The aim is to assess its security. It helps an organization prepare for the possibility of an actual attack. Here’s a list of the most common cyber attack types that can threaten your systems.
1. Malware Attack
Malware is unwanted software that is downloaded on your system. It is similar to a virus. The software attaches itself to code, replicating and destroying vital information.
There are various types of malware, including ransomware and macro viruses. They can slow down your system, steal data, and perform many other unwanted actions.
2. Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks
This type of attack is carried out externally, with a goal of overwhelming the system in question. During an attack, fake traffic is directed to the site which the servers are unable to handle. As a result, the site fails and actual customers are denied services.
Sometimes, hackers are looking to tap into the system once it goes offline. Once in, they can launch another type of attack—such as hijacking—causing even more damage.
3. Password Attacks
This one is pretty straightforward; they involve hackers obtaining passwords, giving them access to a host of information. There are two types of password attacks:
· A brute-force attack is more aggressive, randomly trying as many passwords as the system has resources for until the right one is found
· A dictionary attack employs the use of common passwords to find a way in
4. Phishing Attacks
Phishing is when emails are sent out by hackers, claiming to be from a legitimate company. The hackers generally ask for personal information, including credit card details. Once successful, they can access the bank accounts or online account details of victims.
Are you worried about the security of your site?
Lean Security is one of Australia’s leading penetration testing service providers. We’ve helped thousands of big and small businesses make their sites more secure.
To find out how we can help you, give us a call at +61 (2) 8078 6952 or message us here.
Plus, check out if you’re applicable for free services!
E-commerce Security & Solutions
29% of your wesbite traffic is there to attack you. In this post, we have highlisghted some ecommerce security and their solutions.
Cloud Security Challenges: Explore the Top Cloud Security Threats
Before we set out to understand the risks uncovered by penetration testing service providers, let’s start by answering some basic questions.
With all the technicalities surrounding cloud computing, it can be difficult to understand what new challenges it engenders.
But before we set out to understand the risks uncovered by penetration testing service providers, let’s start by answering some basic questions.
What is the cloud? A system of computing resources that includes networks, computers, and the applications that operate on them.
What is it used for? Use cases for the cloud vary depending on what the need of the user is. Generally, businesses use it to store vast amounts of customer information.
What are the challenges surrounding cloud computing? The specialists at the Cloud Security Alliance have reported these to be the top four cloud security challenges.
To help you understand each one, we’ve explained them in detail, starting with the most pertinent ones.
1. Data Breaches
A data breach is a type of attack where account information is accessed by unauthorized individuals. The purpose of this attack is to gain sensitive information such as credit card details and then to use it to access a person’s finances. Another thing hackers do with the information they steal is sell it to other parties.
Data breaches can cost companies millions of dollars. Here are some reasons why:
· Repairs and recovery in the aftermath are expensive
· Settling lawsuits by customers whose data was leaked is an additional cost
· Customers lose trust in your business, leading to lost sales
2. Weak Identity, Credential and Access Management
Credential and access management has to do with how many checks a site has in place to ensure that only authorized persons are able to access an account. Implementing preventative measures such as strong passwords and multi-factor authentication leads to more robust security.
This makes it harder for hackers to uncover your password, especially with brute-force attacks, if you employ these techniques.
3. Insecure Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
An API is a gateway to all direct and indirect components within the system. Cloud service providers hand over the reins to software developers to design these APIs.
This additional layer creates room for vulnerabilities, and incorrect authorizations and transfer of content can occur as a result. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by hackers.
4. System and Application Vulnerabilities
A weakness or vulnerability in the system you’re using can be exploited. Common tools to exploit system vulnerabilities include cross site scripting, SQL injection, and LDAP Injection.
With constant changes to applications, it becomes necessary to conduct regular scans of the site to check for vulnerabilities.
Lean Security offers AI-powered penetration testing services to companies all over Australia. We check for a host of vulnerabilities, including SQL Injections, Cross Site Scripting, and Insufficient Authentication
To find out more, give us a call at +61 (2) 8078 6952 or message us here.