Web applications are programs accessible and operated via Internet browser through interface usually in a form of a website. Examples of web apps are browser-based email accounts, online shops or search engines (EDUCBA, 2022). Difference between web application and website is that former often serve user with static or dynamic information, or act as a interface between human and application.
Web based software often incorporate server-client architecture - the application is running on powerful computer and is accessible over Internet - server, and communicating with web browser installed on visitor's computer - client. This architecture allows service to be accessible from any device able to connect to the Internet and browse website, at the same time ensures provided data is consistent and actual.
Every piece of software could be misused or exploited and this is also true regarding web applications. Moreover, web applications are at higher risk according to the fact beside secure usage of application, data in transfer needs protection, physical access control is mostly impossible and usual data storage is centralized - once information is corrupted or compromised - it is globally.
Most common security problems in 2021 according to Open Web Application Security Project are broken access control, cryptographic failures or code injection (OWASP, 2022). All mentioned issues could lead to compromise of sensitive information, deletion or corruption of data, or made service unusable or risky for users.
Data in transit is one of the most important points of focus considering web application security. It is generally easier to capture data than to penetrate secured application, and this is the reason data in transit is often targeted by cyber criminals. Encrypting communication between server and browser prevents data from leak, but also makes it more difficult to tamper with data - for example delivering customer fake or malicious version of website to steal their credentials (Google, 2022). Currently encrypting all communication between web application and consumer is nearly mandatory despite application is processing sensitive information. For service customer, extra care should be taken operating with web service through unencrypted protocols like HTTP.
One of security issue that is a concern for both - developer and consumer is currently growing rapidly CSRF: cross site request forgery. CSRF is a cyber attack that forces authorized user to perform unwanted operations in behalf of attacker. Most often attacker convinces victim to browse prepared beforehand link. This link in fact redirects victim to web application and execute planned operation, such as sending an email or transfer funds (OWASP, 2022). CSRF attacks could be easily prevented by introducing special tokens generated with the online form and checked during data submission. This ensure the same person filled and submitted the form - in case of scripts submitting forms automatically token will be invalid or missing.
All mentioned above are just few of numerous issues and threats for web applications developers and users. Examples in this post are among most important in 2022 and includes measurements that could be introduced or observed by service consumer. Users' overall security is strongly dependent on security of evry single application used. While it is obvious to maintain bank credentials secure, even breach in entertainent application could lead to a leak of those sensitive information. In conclusion, awareness of threats within users is as essential as properly secured application by developer.
References:
EDUCBA, 2022. What is Web Application? | Concise Guide to Web Application Software. [online] EDUCBA. Available at: <https://www.educba.com/what-is-web-application/> [Accessed 13 April 2022].
OWASP, 2022. OWASP Top Ten Web Application Security Risks | OWASP. [online] Owasp.org. Available at: <https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/> [Accessed 13 April 2022].
Google, 2022. Security and Identity | Web Fundamentals | Google Developers. [online] Google Developers. Available at: <https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/security> [Accessed 13 April 2022].
OWASP, 2022. Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF) | OWASP Foundation. [online] Owasp.org. Available at: <https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/csrf> [Accessed 13 April 2022].
Web based software often incorporate server-client architecture - the application is running on powerful computer and is accessible over Internet - server, and communicating with web browser installed on visitor's computer - client. This architecture allows service to be accessible from any device able to connect to the Internet and browse website, at the same time ensures provided data is consistent and actual.
Every piece of software could be misused or exploited and this is also true regarding web applications. Moreover, web applications are at higher risk according to the fact beside secure usage of application, data in transfer needs protection, physical access control is mostly impossible and usual data storage is centralized - once information is corrupted or compromised - it is globally.
Most common security problems in 2021 according to Open Web Application Security Project are broken access control, cryptographic failures or code injection (OWASP, 2022). All mentioned issues could lead to compromise of sensitive information, deletion or corruption of data, or made service unusable or risky for users.
Data in transit is one of the most important points of focus considering web application security. It is generally easier to capture data than to penetrate secured application, and this is the reason data in transit is often targeted by cyber criminals. Encrypting communication between server and browser prevents data from leak, but also makes it more difficult to tamper with data - for example delivering customer fake or malicious version of website to steal their credentials (Google, 2022). Currently encrypting all communication between web application and consumer is nearly mandatory despite application is processing sensitive information. For service customer, extra care should be taken operating with web service through unencrypted protocols like HTTP.
One of security issue that is a concern for both - developer and consumer is currently growing rapidly CSRF: cross site request forgery. CSRF is a cyber attack that forces authorized user to perform unwanted operations in behalf of attacker. Most often attacker convinces victim to browse prepared beforehand link. This link in fact redirects victim to web application and execute planned operation, such as sending an email or transfer funds (OWASP, 2022). CSRF attacks could be easily prevented by introducing special tokens generated with the online form and checked during data submission. This ensure the same person filled and submitted the form - in case of scripts submitting forms automatically token will be invalid or missing.
All mentioned above are just few of numerous issues and threats for web applications developers and users. Examples in this post are among most important in 2022 and includes measurements that could be introduced or observed by service consumer. Users' overall security is strongly dependent on security of evry single application used. While it is obvious to maintain bank credentials secure, even breach in entertainent application could lead to a leak of those sensitive information. In conclusion, awareness of threats within users is as essential as properly secured application by developer.
References:
EDUCBA, 2022. What is Web Application? | Concise Guide to Web Application Software. [online] EDUCBA. Available at: <https://www.educba.com/what-is-web-application/> [Accessed 13 April 2022].
OWASP, 2022. OWASP Top Ten Web Application Security Risks | OWASP. [online] Owasp.org. Available at: <https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/> [Accessed 13 April 2022].
Google, 2022. Security and Identity | Web Fundamentals | Google Developers. [online] Google Developers. Available at: <https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/security> [Accessed 13 April 2022].
OWASP, 2022. Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF) | OWASP Foundation. [online] Owasp.org. Available at: <https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/csrf> [Accessed 13 April 2022].
Comments
Post a Comment