Web Security

Web security has become a critical concern in our increasingly interconnected world. Cyber-attacks cost the global economy an estimated $8 trillion annually in 2023 and are expected to reach $10.5 trillion annually in 2025. As organisations continue to expand their online footprint amid 2,200 cyber-attacks per day, the importance of effective web security measures cannot be overstated.

Web security aims to safeguard data and network resources from online threats. This comprehensive field employs a combination of monitoring tools, user training, and other strategies to keep data, infrastructure, and people safe from cyber-attacks. Web security encompasses a wide range of practices, technologies, and protocols designed to protect websites, web applications, and web services from unauthorised access, data breaches, and other malicious activities. Advanced web security provides a proxy between users and their browsers to block malware and advanced persistent threats.

With the mounting persistence of cyber threats, web security has become a continuous cycle of assessment, implementation, and adaptation to new risks and vulnerabilities. Organisations must remain vigilant and proactive in their approach to web security to protect their assets, reputation, and people.

By strategically integrating these components, web security creates a resilient form of defence against cyber-attacks, adapting continuously to the evolving threat landscape.

While on-premises infrastructure provides direct control, it demands significant resources for maintenance, including constant monitoring, patching, and updates. Recently, administrators have begun hosting infrastructure in the cloud to reduce overhead. The benefits of migrating to the cloud include scalability, cost-efficiency, and improved accessibility. However, this shift introduces new security considerations.

Cloud migration presents unique challenges:

1. Collaborative security framework: Navigating the complex security duties shared between cloud service providers and client organisations.
2. Geographical data governance: Managing information storage and processing in compliance with location-specific legal requirements and data protection laws.
3. Distributed user authentication: Developing and maintaining strong verification and permission systems across decentralised cloud infrastructures.

While the cloud offers many benefits, it also introduces new vulnerabilities—especially if administrators aren’t familiar with configuring and managing cloud resources. In fact, cloud misconfigurations are a primary factor in vulnerabilities. Administrators must also properly configure monitoring and logging tools to stay compliant and detect ongoing attacks in the cloud.

By investing in comprehensive web security, organisations not only protect themselves against cyber threats but also gain many operational and strategic advantages.

• SQL injection. Malformed SQL statements from online forms can change data, delete tables, and even allow an attacker to escalate privileges on the targeted database server.
• Cross-site scripting (XSS). When web pages don’t validate user input, malicious code can be reflected back to the user. These scripts can perform a myriad of malicious actions, like stealing user cookies and sessions or performing actions on behalf of the user.
• Remote file inclusion. Web applications that use dynamic external scripts are vulnerable to attacks. If user input generates an unvalidated path, threat actors can exploit the referencing function to upload remote malicious files. These backdoor shells usually download malware to the targeted website.
• Password breach. Credential theft and brute-force password attacks are common on the web. Administrators should use monitors and intrusion detection to stop them from accessing private network resources. Two-factor authentication also helps.
• Data breach. A data breach occurs when a third party steals an organisation’s sensitive information. The most common reasons for data breaches are human error and intentional disclosure. These breaches can cause devastating financial losses, reputational damage, and legal ramifications.
• Code injection. Every user-generated input should be validated. Otherwise, an attacker can send malicious code that works to open vulnerabilities on the remote server.

• Malware installation. When installed on a local network, malware can cause enormous damage. Not only does it allow cyber-attackers to steal data, but it can infect machines with ransomware that encrypts valuable files.
• Phishing. Most cyber-attacks start with a phishing email. Web security must include a strategy to stop malicious emails from reaching users’ inboxes.
• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS). Cyber-attackers can interrupt services for days by flooding servers or the network with traffic. These attacks impact revenue and business continuity.
• Adversary-in-the-Middle (AiTM) attacks. AiTM attacks occur when attackers intercept communication between two parties, potentially eavesdropping or altering the data in transit.
• Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF). This attack tricks users into performing unwanted actions on a web application where they’re authenticated, potentially leading to unauthorised transactions or data modifications.
• API vulnerabilities. As more applications rely on APIs, securing these interfaces is crucial to prevent unauthorised access, data leaks, and system compromises.

• Web application firewall (WAF). A good WAF stops sophisticated DDoS attacks and blocks malicious code injection when users submit information using online forms. It should not be your sole method to stop web-based attacks, but can strengthen your security posture and reduce attacks.
• Vulnerability scanners. Before it’s deployed to production, all software should be penetration tested. But testing shouldn’t stop there. All production software should be continuously monitored for vulnerabilities.
• Password-cracking tools. To determine if your users are creating weak passwords or network credentials, try to crack them. Run tests to ensure users follow policies and best practices for password length and complexity.
• Fuzzing tools. Fuzzing tools are similar to scanners but are used to assess code as it’s developed in real-time. A fuzzer searches code during testing, after it’s deployed to staging, and when it’s deployed to production. Unlike a simple scanner, a fuzzer provides insight into potential problems to help developers fix issues.
• Black box testing tools. Attackers use several methods to find vulnerabilities in software. Black box testing tools mimic real-world threats, use common exploits, and perform malicious actions against deployed software to help developers identify and fix potential vulnerabilities. The term “black box testing” describes the black-hat hacker methods that are used.

• White box testing tools. As developers code their applications, coding mistakes introduce vulnerabilities. A white box testing tool analyses code as it’s created and provides insights about the application’s internal structure. This analysis helps developers avoid common mistakes.
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS). These systems monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and can take immediate action to prevent attacks.
• Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security certificates. SSL and TLS are cryptographic protocols essential for web security and protecting communications between web servers and browsers.
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) with security features. CDNs can provide DDoS protection, bot mitigation, and other security services in addition to improving website performance.
• Browser isolation technology. This approach isolates browsing activity in a secure, cloud-based environment to protect against web-based threats.

• Malware. Web security uses antivirus software and other cybersecurity tools to block malware.
• Data theft. Web security will prevent unauthorised users from exfiltrating sensitive information to outside servers.
• Phishing. Most data breaches start with a malicious phishing email. Web security filters these emails so they don’t reach users’ inboxes.
• Session hijacking. A cyber-attacker can hijack a user session by stealing the HTTP cookies necessary to maintain the session. Web security includes web filtering and protection to prevent these attacks.

• Malicious redirects. Websites with open URL redirects can steal user credentials and other sensitive information. Web security stops these attacks by blocking redirection to known attack sites.
• Spam. Storage space is expensive, and spam email can quickly fill up network resources. Web security blocks these emails from users’ inboxes.
• Advanced persistent threats. Sophisticated attacks can only be stopped by multiple layers of security. Web security helps you detect and stop malicious activity early.
• Shadow IT. If a device is not authorised, it should not be allowed to connect to the network. Good web security blocks these devices from accessing sensitive data or resources.

Embracing cloud-based web security enables organisations to achieve a more robust, flexible, and cost-effective security posture, ensuring they’re well-equipped to face the challenges of increasingly complex cyber threats.

The comprehensive tools, technologies, and practices of today’s web security solutions protect websites, applications, and users. These solutions typically combine hardware, software, and cloud-based services to combat cyber-attacks, data breaches, and other security risks.

As a whole, web security solutions aim to safeguard an organisation’s digital assets, maintain the integrity of online operations, and protect sensitive user data. They generally include components like firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, content filtering, malware scanners, and encryption tools. More advanced solutions may also incorporate machine learning algorithms to detect and respond to emerging threats.

As businesses increasingly rely on web-based applications and services, the potential attack surface for cyber criminals grows exponentially. Just one incident can result in significant financial losses, tarnished reputation, and loss of trust among customers and vendors. Combined with the rise of remote work and cloud computing, traditional network perimeters are becoming less defined, making advanced web security solutions more critical than ever.

Web security not only protects against known threats but also adapts to new and evolving risks. It provides organisations visibility into web traffic, helps enforce security policies, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. By implementing comprehensive web security solutions, businesses can create a safer online environment for their employees and customers, maintain operational continuity, and focus on their core objectives without constant worry about cyber threats.

To learn more, contact Proofpoint.