Computer security, cyber security , digital security or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from attack by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, theft of, or damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.
We will discuss here about multiple kinds of attacks.
It's important to note that the field of cybersecurity is dynamic, and new attack methods continue to emerge.
Employing robust security practices, staying informed about the latest threats, and regularly updating systems and software are essential to mitigate the risk of such attacks.
Malware encompasses various types of malicious software. It includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and more.
Malware is designed to infiltrate and damage computer systems, steal data, or gain unauthorized access to resources.
Protecting against malware requires the use of up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware software, along with regular system updates and user awareness.
Hacking method that uses trial and error to crack passwords, login credentials, and encryption keys.
Prevent it by using strong password policy, limiting login attempts, enabling two-factor authentication, using CAPTCHAs, and blocking malicious IP addresses.
An attack in which an attacker injects malicious executable scripts into the code of a trusted application or website.
Defend it by validating input data and all variable output in the page is encoded before it is returned to the user.
An attack that tricks a user into clicking a webpage element which is invisible or disguised as another element.
X_FRAME header can be used to prevent it.
An attack where unauthorized commands are submitted from a user that the web application trusts.
Prevent by using unpredictable tokens and use RBAC (restricting network access based on the roles of individual users within an enterprise).
SQL injection attacks target web applications that use input data to construct SQL queries without proper validation.
Attackers inject malicious SQL code as input, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the application's database or executing unintended commands.
Cyberattack where the attacker secretly relays and possibly alters the communications between two parties who believe that they are directly communicating with each other, as the attacker has inserted themselves between the two parties.
The attacker has access to the transmited data.
Prevent it by encrypting the data that transfered between the parties
A type of attack in which a malicious actor sends falsified ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) messages over a local area network. This results in the linking of an attacker's MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate computer or server on the network.
Prevent it by using static ARP entry instead of dynamic entry.
a cyberattack that makes a computer or other device unavailable to its intended users.
This is usually accomplished by overwhelming the targeted machine with requests until normal traffic can no longer be processed.
With a DoS attack, a single computer launches the attack.
Prevent using rate limit (a technique used to control and limit the number of requests or actions that a client or user can make within a specific time period) or with slow down, and with blocking the IP address of the attacker
It is like DoS attack excepct it uses multiple computers to initiate the attack.
Prevent using rate limit or with slow down, and use a firewall (network security devices that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules).
Social engineering attacks manipulate human psychology to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing certain actions.
These attacks rely on exploiting trust, authority, urgency, or curiosity to manipulate victims into providing access or valuable data.
It is a social engineering technique used to deceive individuals and trick them into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, or personal data.
Phishing attacks usually occur through fraudulent emails, websites, or messages that appear legitimate.
To prevent falling victim to phishing attacks, it is important to exercise caution when clicking on links, verify the authenticity of websites and senders, and avoid sharing sensitive information through untrusted channels.
A zero-day exploit targets vulnerabilities in software, operating systems, or network infrastructure that are unknown to the vendor or unpatched.
Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities before a patch or solution is available, making it challenging for organizations to defend against them.
Penetration Testing is an authorized simulated attacking performed on a computer system to evaluate its security.
Penetration testers use the same tools, techniques, and processes as attackers to find and demonstrate the business impacts of weaknesses in a system.
Here are useful tools :
Command line interface to access and work with the Metasploit Framework (framework of common security vulnerabilities and exploits).
Scans web servers for dangerous files updated server software and other problems.
Tool for performing security testing of web applications.
Tool that scans through your web application to identity any security vulnerabilities as possible.
Automates the process of detecting and exploiting SQL injection flaws.
Network scanner.
Brute-forcing tool that helps penetration testers and ethical hackers crack the passwords of network services.
Password cracking software tool.
These HTTP security headers help protect against various types of attacks and enforce secure practices when interacting with the website. By properly configuring and utilizing these headers, you can enhance the security and privacy of your web application.
Remove x-power-by header.
Websockets are used to establishe full-duplex, bidirectional communication between a client and server. This two-way flow is unique to WebSocket connections, and it means they can transfer data very quickly and efficiently.
Secure your Websocket with:
Encryption algorithms are used to secure data by transforming it into an unintelligible form that can only be understood by authorized parties. There are two primary types of encryption algorithms: symmetric and asymmetric.
These are concepts about symmetric encryption:
These are concepts about aymmetric encryption:
It's worth noting that many practical encryption systems combine both symmetric and asymmetric encryption for improved performance and security. This approach is often called hybrid encryption. In hybrid encryption, symmetric encryption is used to encrypt the actual data, while asymmetric encryption is used to securely exchange and protect the shared symmetric key.
In summary, symmetric encryption relies on a single shared secret key for encryption and decryption, while asymmetric encryption uses a pair of mathematically related keys, namely a public key and a private key. Both types of encryption algorithms play essential roles in securing data and communications in various applications.
Here's a guide to help you develop secured code:
Validate and Sanitize Input:
Handle Errors and Exceptions Properly:
Implement Access Controls and Authorization:
Encrypt Sensitive Data:
Keep Software Dependencies Up to Date:
Implement Secure Session Management:
Implement Security Headers:
Apply Defense-in-Depth Approach:
Regularly Test and Audit Security:
Educate Developers and Users:
Remember, security is an ongoing process. Implementing secure code is just the beginning.
Regularly update and monitor your systems, stay informed about emerging threats, and adapt your security practices accordingly to ensure your code remains secure over time.
As a developer, having access to reliable and comprehensive resources is invaluable. In this step, we highlight common resources that every developer should be familiar with. From online communities like Stack Overflow and GitHub to documentation, tutorials, and more, these resources provide guidance, support, and solutions to common programming challenges.