Over the past decade, millions of businesses have embraced web applications as an inexpensive way to build relationships and transactions with prospects and customers. But while they provide the opportunity for greater customer insight and efficiency, web applications also have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. One of the most common and devastating of these is a web attack.

A web attack is an example of a cyberattack where the attacker takes on the persona of another to gain access to sensitive information or carry out malicious activities such as taking credit card numbers, or other personal data. Common types of attacks on the web include Structured Query Language injection (SQLi) as well as cross-site scripting (XSS) and attacks on file uploads.

In a SQLi attack hackers enter customized Structured Query Language commands into an app or website field to steal private data stored in the database server behind. Similarly, in an XSS attack, hackers insert malicious code into a website or web app that the victim’s web browser automatically executes without verification or encryption. The attack may hijack the victim’s session, show non-authorized images or texts or redirect users to a phishing website.

The best method to safeguard against a content web attack is to conduct regular vulnerability scans and apply patches to your website and its web servers and any databases underneath. It is also a great idea to develop an incident response plan to ensure that any attack is identified quickly and dealt with. You must also be able to identify web-based attacks by being able to recognize warning signs such as slowing down of the network and frequent website shutdowns.