In today’s digital landscape, websites are among the most targeted assets for cyber threats. Understanding the common types of attacks and implementing countermeasures is crucial for securing your online presence. Let’s decode the most frequent threats and explore ways to safeguard against them.
1. Common Cyber Attacks on Websites
a. Malware
Malicious software infiltrates websites to steal data, infect visitors, or compromise operations.
Examples: Viruses, trojans, ransomware.
b. SQL Injection (SQLi)
Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in a website’s database layer to gain unauthorised access to sensitive data or manipulate content.
Impact: Data breaches, stolen credentials.
c. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cybercriminals inject malicious scripts into websites, often targeting users to steal session cookies or impersonate users.
Outcome: User data theft, credential harvesting.
d. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
Floods servers with traffic to overwhelm resources, making websites inaccessible to legitimate users.
Impact: Downtime, revenue loss.
e. Phishing and Social Engineering
Fake websites or pages that trick users into providing sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers.
Threat: Identity theft, fraud.
2. Strategies to Protect Your Website
a. Regular Software Updates
- Keep CMS platforms, plugins, and frameworks up-to-date to patch vulnerabilities.
- Remove outdated or unused software.
b. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)
A WAF filters and monitors incoming traffic to block malicious activity.
