Over the past decade many businesses and organizations have taken to the Web as a cost-effective method to interact with customers and conduct business. This includes the use of web-based apps that collect and store data such as customer data submitted via content management systems shopping carts and inquiry forms, and login fields.

These applications are typically accessed via the Internet and are able to be hacked to exploit weaknesses within the application or supporting infrastructure. SQL injection attacks which exploit weaknesses within databases, can compromise databases that contain sensitive data. Attackers also can leverage an advantage gained through hacking an Web application to find and gain access to other, more vulnerable systems on your network.

Other commonly used Web attack types include Cross Site Scripting attacks (XSS) which exploit flaws in the web server to inject malicious code into web pages, which executes as a virus-infected script within the victim’s browser. This enables attackers to access to confidential information or redirect the user to websites that offer phishing. Web forums, message boards and blogs are particularly vulnerable to XSS attacks.

Distributed attacks on service (DDoS) involve hackers banding together to bombard a website with more requests than it online data room for business can handle. This can cause the web site to slow down or completely shut down in a way that hinders its ability to process requests, making it unusable for everyone. This is why DDoS attacks can be especially damaging for small businesses that rely on their websites for the operation like local restaurants or bakeries.