Common Website Hacking Techniques
Anyone who conducts any type of business on the internet, whether it’s for personal or business purposes, is at the risk of a double threat. On one side of the fence you have a group of malicious code writers, while an entire community of hackers waits on the other side. Not only must you remain cautious when surfing the web, but keep your eyes peeled for the unscrupulous individuals looking to swing by and sabotage your site as well.
The most widely used methods of website hacking include SQL injection and cross-site scripting. Since there is more to these exploits than meets the eye, we will overview and detail how both can be detrimental to existence of your business.
1. SQL Injection
SQL injection is the entering of SQL code into web forms such as login fields or an address bar in your browser. The purpose behind this attack is to manipulate the database serving the application, system or site. This exploit is quite sophisticated and capable of inflicting severe damage.
Backdoor injection is a variation of this exploit that has become quite common. Hackers do not stop at manipulating a site via the login screen or address bar. That innocent search box on your website is also associated with a critical database, making it a potential target for an attack. The insertion of SQL commands in a search box can cause a wide range of damage such as retrieving usernames and passwords, illicitly searching the database field set and amending other sensitive data. Without the proper security implementations, a knowledgeable intruder can easily explore a database and obtain field names and insert various commands to retrieve information. From there they may have the ability to change account details, product prices, and client info. Once a hacker gets that deep, there’s almost no limit to what they can do.
2. Cross Site Scripting
Cross-site scripting or XSS, is another popular technique cable of causing many problems for your website. XSS is being practiced increasingly more than SQL injection and is actually more difficult to prevent. Several prominent internet-based companies have suffered this attack including Google, Microsoft, MySpace and many more.
XSS functions with malicious intent, usually embedding JavaScript into hyperlinks to manipulate a website. This gives an intruder the power to hijack sessions, affiliate advertisements and personal information. A worst case scenario involves a hacker gaining access to account details and taking over your whole site.
Choosing a Secure Host
With a gang of busy hackers on the prowl, it’s imperative that you carefully select a web hosting provider. You can never be too careful these days so do not hesitate to check into their security features. You’d be amazed to know how many companies will offer a plethora of features but lack efficient security to protect their clients’ investments. Sometimes it’s a good idea to pay a bit more for a reliable service opposed to cutting costs and paying severely in the end. On a positive note, there are a number of quality hosts that will provide adequate security for your site at a low monthly cost such as BlueHost.
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