The increased use of the internet has been incredibly beneficial to society, however, it has also created a wider landscape for online threats to run rampant. Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to hack and exploit people online.

Developers who are working on projects must be vigilant about these threats to keep their work protected. This post covers the top 5 biggest online threats that developers should know about.

By the end, you’ll have a better idea about the current threats that you face as a developer online so that you can work effectively to reduce these risks and continue creating secure applications.

Web Vulnerabilities

Web developers should make sure to stay up to date with the latest trends in website vulnerabilities and threats. This puts you in a better position to have more confidence in how to deal with threats when they arise.

This is especially the case if you’re a developer who is using the cloud to collaborate and work on applications. This cloud security explained post could give you some more insight when it comes to using the cloud securely.

One of the main things to know about your code is that it’s nearly impossible to make it 100% impervious to online threats. This is because hackers are always discovering new ways to exploit code and bypass security controls. So, make sure to regularly scan for threats within your code and make security as mandatory as the development itself.

Ransomware

Cybercriminals carry out ransomware attacks by sending viruses into devices that can restrict access to your files via cryptography. They then threaten to delete the content inside the files if you don’t pay the ransom. This ransom is often demanded through cryptocurrency which makes it untraceable.

Large organizations that handle sensitive data may undergo ransomware attacks where the attackers threaten to make all of their data public which could lead to major compliance issues and hefty fines.

Ransomware attacks are often carried out by using phishing schemes that involve employees being manipulated into entering certain details or being asked to download something. Furthermore, ransomware viruses can be put onto a USB stick and entered into a physical device to have the same effect.

Therefore, developers should be wary of the most recent phishing schemes so that they don’t end up creating vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit.

Unreliable Authentication

Authentication is a process used across all applications and websites that enable users to have access to a page by entering authenticated details. This helps to keep login pages with access to sensitive information more secure.

Usernames and passwords are often used as forms of authentication for developers to access a certain page. However, this form of authentication has been coming under more attacks due to how cybercriminals have devised methods to exploit the authentication process.

Bots are often used which can provide them with information about passwords and usernames and grant them access to accounts. So, instead of simply using usernames and passwords, it’s better to implement additional authentication processes.

This could involve face ID or fingerprint scanners as well as a multi-step login process. Securing your authentication process is vital for preventing hackers from having easy access to your user accounts and causing irreparable damage.

Cross-Site Scripting

Cross-site scripting is a method used by hackers to exploit weak areas in your software. They can use these vulnerabilities and entry points to have access to your entire browser. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that your software regularly undergoes security scans so that you know about any vulnerable areas.

Teams can then work efficiently to create a priority list of software vulnerabilities and work through them systematically to improve the software’s security. In addition to this, there are programs available that allow developers to develop applications that prevent XSS attacks.

You may also want to consider implementing context-sensitive encoding if you’re using a browser that has been modified. This is ideal for protecting your apps from XSS and DOM attacks.

SQL Injection

SQL injection is a common threat that developers find themselves dealing with. This type of online threat involves hackers injecting code that contains malicious content into your web applications. This can result in them gaining access to your database. From there, they may be able to steal or destroy data, alter information, and inject more malware into your web page to gain even further access.

To prevent SQL injection threats from impacting your web applications, make sure that your code, including all inputs and outputs, has been thoroughly validated. Input and output validation is crucial for preventing attackers from injecting malicious code easily into your applications. Furthermore, cleaning your data should be part of a routine to ensure that there are no weak spots for SQL injections to access your apps.

Conclusion

Cybercriminals are developing new ways of attacking online applications to steal data, credentials, and money. In other cases, some hackers simply want to bring an organization down from the inside and cause permanent damage.

Companies that deal with sensitive customer data are often big targets due to how individuals can release data and ruin the company’s customer reputation. Furthermore, it can lead to the company no longer being compliant with the regulations in their industry which could cause a lot of legal issues.

Due to how consistently hackers are trying to exploit apps in a wide variety of ways, developers need to stay on top of their security. Whilst cybercriminals are developing new hacking methods, you can be using that time to ensure that your applications are stronger. The harder you make it for them, the less likely they are to continue pursuing your application as a target.

Make sure to carry out regular updates and security scans. This will provide you with a detailed and up-to-date picture of how secure your web applications are. Multi-factor authentication and proper training on avoiding phishing schemes are also effective ways to combat online threats.

Hopefully, the details found in this post have been useful in helping you to feel more assured about what some of the biggest online threats are so that you can keep your applications secure.