Forem: Ariaa Reeds

What Is SaaS Security Assessment? Best Saas Security Practices: The Definitive Guide

Ariaa Reeds — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 13:13:33 +0000

As your business grows, you may find that you need to start using the software as a service (SaaS) products. This growth is great news for businesses, as SaaS offers many advantages over traditional on-premises software. However, with this growth comes an increased risk of cyberattacks. To protect your data and your business, it is important to understand the basics of SaaS security. In this blog post, we will discuss what SaaS security is, who is responsible for it, and why you should prioritize it above all else. We will also take a look at some of the biggest risks associated with SaaS applications, and offer some tips on how to keep your data safe

What Is SaaS Security Assessment?

SaaS security is the process of protecting data that is stored in or accessed through a SaaS application. SaaS security assessment is the inspection of security measures put in place to secure the SaaS application. It includes but is not limited to vulnerability assessment and pen-testing. It helps you stop attackers from stealing valuable data.

Because SaaS applications are hosted in the cloud, they are often seen as being more vulnerable to attack than on-premises software. However, this does not mean that SaaS applications are inherently insecure. Many SaaS providers take great care to secure their products and offer their customers robust security features.

Who Is Responsible for SaaS Security?

The short answer is: that both the SaaS provider and the customer are responsible for securing data in a SaaS environment. The SaaS provider is responsible for ensuring that their product is secure and that customer data is protected from unauthorized access. The customer is responsible for ensuring that their data is securely stored and that only authorized users have access to it.

Why You Should Prioritize SaaS Security

There are many reasons why SaaS security should be a top priority for your business. First and foremost, protecting your data is essential to protecting your business. Additionally, if you are storing sensitive employee data in a SaaS application, you have a legal obligation to protect that data from unauthorized access. Finally, even if your data is not particularly sensitive, a data breach can still damage your company’s reputation and cause customers to lose trust in your business.

Biggest SaaS Security Risks

There are many risks associated with using SaaS applications, but some are more common than others. One of the most common risks is data leakage, which can occur when sensitive data is accidentally or intentionally exposed to unauthorized users. Another risk is account hijacking, which occurs when an attacker gains access to a user’s account and uses it to steal data or commit other malicious activities. Finally, phishing attacks are also a major concern for businesses that use SaaS applications. In a phishing attack, an attacker will send an email or other message that appears to be from a legitimate source but is designed to trick the user into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware.

SaaS security Practices

Implement multi-factor authentication:
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an important security measure that requires users to provide both a password and a second factor, such as a fingerprint or code from a mobile device
Encrypt data in transit: When data is transmitted over the internet, it is vulnerable to interception by third parties. To protect your data, make sure that it is encrypted while in transit.
*Encrypting data at rest: *
Data should also be encrypted when it’s stored, both on the server and the client. device. This will protect your data if the server is breached, and it will also make it more difficult for an attacker to access data if they can steal a user’s device.
*Use Single Sign-On: * Single Sign-On (SSO) allows users to authenticate with one set of credentials (usually their email address and password) to access multiple applications.
Keep your software up to date:
Software updates often include security fixes for vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
Implementing least-privilege access controls:
Users should only have – access to the data and functionality that they need for their job. This – prevents unauthorized access and limits the damage that can be done if a – user’s credentials are compromised.
Monitoring activity:
Activity should be monitored both for individual users and for unusual patterns that could indicate a security breach.
Testing regularly:
Security should be tested regularly, both manually and with automated tools. This will help to ensure that your systems are secure and that any vulnerabilities are found and fixed quickly.

Conclusion

SaaS security is a complex issue, but by taking the time to understand the risks and implementing the proper security measures, you can help to protect your data and your business.

How Powerful Is Software Penetration Testing: Tips, Steps, and Techniques

Ariaa Reeds — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 10:39:09 +0000

When it comes to software security one can never be overly cautious. A single vulnerability in your code can lead to a data breach, theft of customer information, or even worse. That is why penetration testing is so crucial to the software development cycle. This article shall discuss all you need to know regarding software penetration testing: tips, tools, and techniques. We’ll also provide you with some useful pointers to get you started. So don’t miss out – read on!

Crux Of Software Penetration Testing
The objective of system or application penetration testing is to find flaws and fix them before others with malignant intentions make use of it. It’s possible to do this manually or with automated tools. The main objective is to assess the security posture of the system and find potential weaknesses that could be exploited by an attacker.

How Powerful Is Software Penetration Testing?
The truth is, software penetration testing can be quite powerful. It’s a great way to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems and applications. However, not all vulnerabilities may be discovered by penetration testing. In fact, some may only be discovered through manual analysis or code review.

However, automated tools might be quite beneficial for identifying typical security concerns. They can assist in the quickening of vulnerability assessment and exploitation. And they can also help you automate the reporting process.

Tips For Software Penetration Testing
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when conducting a software penetration test:

Be prepared: This is probably the most important tip. Make sure you have a strategy in place and know what you are attempting to accomplish. Otherwise, you will just be wandering around aimlessly and wasting your time.

Start with reconnaissance: This is where you gather information about the target system and map out the attack surface. You will need to identify which systems/applications are being tested, as well as any relevant data sets and user credentials.

Use automated tools: These can help speed up the process of vulnerability assessment and exploitation. They can also help automate the reporting process by allowing your team to focus on more important tasks.

Take remediation steps: Once the test is complete, you’ll need to generate a report documenting your findings. You’ll also need to take steps to remediate any issues that were found.

Practice safe hacking: Always remember that it’s important to practice safe hacking. Don’t try to exploit vulnerabilities without first getting permission from the system owner. Follow all local, state, and federal requirements carefully.

Steps For Software Penetration Testing
There are a number of steps involved in conducting a software penetration test:

Planning and reconnaissance: This is where you gather information about the target system and map out the attack surface. You’ll need to identify which systems/applications are being tested, as well as any relevant data sets and user credentials.

Vulnerability assessment: This involves identifying potential vulnerabilities in the target systems/applications. This can be done through manual analysis or using automated tools.
Exploitation: This is where you attempt to exploit the vulnerabilities that were identified in the previous step. It is feasible to manually exploit or use automatic tools to achieve this.

Reporting and follow-up: Once the penetration test is complete, you’ll need to generate a report documenting your findings. You’ll also need to take steps to remediate any issues that were found.

Techniques For Software Penetration Testing
There are a number of different tools that you can use for software penetration testing:

**Manual techniques: **This includes things like reconnaissance, information gathering, vulnerability assessment, and exploitation.
Automated tools: These are used to automate the process of vulnerability assessment and exploitation. They can help you find and exploit vulnerabilities more quickly and efficiently.

Security testing frameworks: These frameworks provide a set of tools and guidelines for conducting DAST security tests.
Some popular security testing frameworks and tools include OWASP ZAP, Web application attack proxy (WAPT), Burp Suite, Astra’s Pentest, Nessus, Nikto, and Metasploit.

Resources For Software Penetration Testing
If you’re interested in learning more about software penetration testing, here are some resources to get you started:

– The OWASP Top Ten Project: This is a great resource for learning about the most common security vulnerabilities. It includes a detailed description of each vulnerability, as well as examples and mitigations.

–** The SANS Institute:** This is a world-renowned organization that provides training and resources on information security topics. They offer a variety of courses on penetration testing, including an introduction to pen testing course and an advanced pen testing course.

– Black Hat: This is another world-renowned organization that provides training and resources on information security topics. They offer a variety of courses on penetration testing, including fundamentals of penetration testing and an exploit development course.

Conclusion
Software penetration testing can be a powerful method for identifying security vulnerabilities in systems and applications ,also Project Management Software . Not all flaws may be identified through penetration testing, however, automated tools can be very useful for finding common security issues.

A penetration test can also assist you with the acceleration of vulnerability assessment and exploitation. And it can help you improve the security of your software products.

If you’re interested in learning more about software penetration testing, there are a number of resources available to you. The OWASP Top Ten Project is a great place to start, and the SANS Institute offers a variety of courses on penetration testing. Black Hat also offers a variety of courses on penetration testing. So be sure to check them out.

First published on https://brotechnologyx.com/software-penetration/

Things To Keep In Mind About Software Development Penetration Testing

Ariaa Reeds — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 17:04:28 +0000

Software development penetration testing is the process of testing a software application or system from the perspective of an attacker. The goal of this type of testing is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in the system that could be used by an attacker to gain access to sensitive data or systems. This article will discuss a few of the things you really need to know about software development penetration testing!

Why Is Software Development Penetration Testing Important?
Software development penetration testing is essential because it helps identify and fix security vulnerabilities in the system before an attacker can exploit them. By identifying and fixing these vulnerabilities, you can help protect your systems and data from being compromised.

What Are The Features of Software Development Penetration Testing?
There are several key features of software development penetration testing that make it an important part of the software development process:

It identifies security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker;
It helps to ensure that systems and data are protected from attack;
It is a proactive approach to security, rather than a reactive one;
It allows organizations to assess their risk posture and determine where their security weaknesses lie.

What Are The Phases of a Software Penetration Test?

The process of conducting a software penetration testing typically involves the following steps:

Planning and scoping: In this phase, you will need to define the objectives of the test and determine which systems or applications will be tested. Information about the system, such as its architecture and how it is utilized, will also be required.

Reconnaissance and analysis: In this phase, you will conduct reconnaissance on the target system in order to gather information about its vulnerabilities. This may include using scanning tools to identify open ports and services, browsing websites that may contain information about the target system, and social engineering techniques.

Exploitation: In this phase, you will attempt to exploit the vulnerabilities that have been identified in order to gain access to the system or data.

Reporting and recommendation: After completing the pentest, you will need to compile a report documenting your findings and recommendations for mitigating any risks found.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your systems are secure from attack by identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Maintaining a strong security posture for your business necessitates performing frequent software development penetration tests.

Points To Keep in Mind About Software Development Penetration Testing

Software development penetration testing is important because it helps identify and fix security vulnerabilities in the system before they can be exploited.

The key features of software development penetration testing include identifying security vulnerabilities, helping to ensure system and data security, and being a proactive approach to security.

The process of conducting a software development penetration test typically involves the following steps: planning and scoping, reconnaissance and analysis, exploitation, and reporting and recommendation.

You can use these procedures to help ensure that your systems are safe from attack by detecting and correcting security vulnerabilities before they may be utilized.

Types Of Software Development Penetration Testing
There are several different types of software development penetration testing that you can use to assess the security of your systems:

Black box testing: In black-box testing, the tester has no prior knowledge of the system or its architecture. This type of test is used to identify vulnerabilities that may not be found through other methods.

White box testing: White box testing is a more comprehensive form of testing in which the tester has access to all information about the system including source code, network diagrams, and passwords. This type of test is typically used to find vulnerabilities that may be missed in black-box tests.

Gray box testing: Gray box testing combines elements of both black and white box testing, providing the tester with limited information about the system. This type of testing can be useful for identifying vulnerabilities that are not easily found through other methods.

Each of these tests has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s vital to select the one that’s appropriate for your needs.

Software Development Penetration Testing Tools

There are a number of different tools that you can use for software development penetration testing:

Network scanning tools: These tools allow you to scan networks for open ports and services, identify potential vulnerabilities, and gather information about the target system.

Web application analysis tools: These tools allow you to analyze web applications for vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

Malware detection tools: These tools help detect malicious software on systems and networks, allowing you to assess the potential damage that could be done by a malicious attacker.

Penetration testing tools: These are programs that allow you to simulate attacks on systems and networks in order to identify security holes. You need security specialists that are at the top of their game and use the best penetration testing tools to detect and fix security flaws in your systems.

Different applications have various features and drawbacks, so it’s vital to get the right one for your specific requirements.

Conclusion
Software development penetration testing is an important tool for protecting your systems from attack. By identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, you can help ensure the safety of your data and systems. There are a number of different types of software development penetration testing that you can use, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. There are also a number of different tools available to help you conduct a software development penetration test, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right type of testing and the right tools for your specific needs is essential to ensuring the security of your systems.

8 Best Tools For Software Penetration Testing

Ariaa Reeds — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 06:12:12 +0000

If you operate a website or software application, you understand how crucial it is to perform penetration testing on your systems. Software penetration testing is the process of examining a computer system or network for flaws.

This type of testing can be used to find security holes that could be exploited by hackers. It is important to perform software penetration testing regularly to ensure that your systems are secure.

In this blog post, we will discuss 8 of the best tools for software penetration testing. We will also talk about why these tools are so important and how they can help you improve the security of your systems.

What Is Software Penetration Testing?
A penetration test is a type of security testing that involves attacking a computer system or network to identify security vulnerabilities. Pen testers use a variety of methods to try to exploit any weaknesses they find.

They may attempt to gain access to systems using brute force attacks, social engineering techniques, or by exploiting vulnerabilities in software applications or operating systems.

Why Is Software Penetration Testing Important?
If you are responsible for the security of a website or software application, you know how important it is to perform regular pentests.

A penetration test can reveal security flaws that hackers may exploit. Once these vulnerabilities are identified, you can take steps to fix them and improve the security of your systems.

8 Best Tools For Software Penetration Testing And All About Them

Nmap:
It is a free, open-source program for network exploration, security auditing, and vulnerability detection. It can be used to identify hosts and services on a network, as well as security issues.

Nmap can be used to scan for vulnerabilities in systems and applications, and it can also be used to exploit these vulnerabilities.

Metasploit:
Metasploit is a popular hacking toolkit that contains tools for performing penetration tests. Modules in this area let you exploit software vulnerabilities and operating system flaws. Metasploit can also be used to create malware payloads that can be used in attacks.

Wireshark:
A free and open-source packet analysis program, Wireshark may be used to examine network traffic. It can be used to identify system and application security flaws. Wireshark may also be used to diagnose networking issues.

Burp Suite:
Burp Suite is a web application penetration testing tool. It comes with several tools that may be used to find and exploit security flaws in web applications. Burp Suite can also be utilized to evaluate the security of your online apps.

Astra’s Pentest:
Astra’s Pentest is a tool for scanning websites for vulnerabilities. It can be used to identify cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, SQL injection vulnerabilities, and other flaws in websites. Astra Pentest can also be used to scan for malware on websites.

John the Ripper:
John the Ripper is an open-source, free password cracking program. It can be used to crack passwords for user accounts, wireless networks, and other systems. John The Ripper can also be used to discover security flaws in passwords.

Web Application Scanner:
Web Application Scanner is a security tool that may be used to scan online sites for flaws. It can be used to identify cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and other flaws in websites. Web Application Scanner can also be used to scan for malware on websites.

OWASP ZAP:
This open-source web application security scanner works in the background. It can be used to identify flaws in web applications, including cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities and SQL injection flaws. ZAP may also be used to assess the security of your online sites.

That’s all there is to it! These are some of the greatest software vulnerability assessment tools available. Make good use of them, and you’ll have a leg up on securing your systems.

## Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using These Software Penetration Tools

Each of these software penetration testing tools has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before using them in your tests, be sure to learn about them.

Nmap: Nmap is a powerful tool that can be used for a variety of tasks, including network exploration, security auditing, and vulnerability scanning. However, it may be hard for novices to grasp.

Metasploit: Metasploit is a popular hacking toolkit that contains a wide variety of tools for performing penetration tests. However, it can be complex and can make it difficult to use for beginners.

Wireshark: Wireshark is a powerful packet analyzer that can be used to capture and analyze network traffic. However, it does not contain any tools for exploiting vulnerabilities.

Burp Suite: Burp Suite is a complete toolkit with a variety of tools for detecting and exploiting web application vulnerabilities. It might be tough for novices, however.
Astra’s Pentest: Astra’s Pentest is a simple website security scanner. However, it does not contain any tools for exploiting vulnerabilities.

John the Ripper: The Ripper is a powerful password cracking program that may be used to break passwords for user accounts, wireless networks, and other systems. But it may be difficult to navigate for first-time users.

Web Application Scanner: Web Application Scanner is an easy-to-use website vulnerability scanner. However, it does not contain any tools for exploiting vulnerabilities.

OWASP ZAP: ZAP is a web application security scanner that may be used to find security flaws in online applications. However, it does not contain any tools for cracking passwords or exploiting vulnerabilities.

These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the best tools for software penetration testing mentioned above.

Conclusion
Here are some of the best tools for software penetration testing. Use them strategically and you’ll be well on your way to strengthening the security of your networks.

However, before utilizing them in your tests, be sure to become familiar with the tool’s advantages and drawbacks. This will help you make an emboldened choice for your security measures.

Source

6 DAST Tools Designed to Protect Against the OWASP Top 10

Ariaa Reeds — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 06:24:49 +0000

As more and more businesses are moving their operations online, the need for robust security measures is becoming increasingly apparent. When it comes to web application security, detecting and preventing attacks is quite crucial. Lucky for us, the OWASP Foundation published a carefully curated list of the ten most frequent security risks seen in websites. They started this project back in 2004 and have been updating this list yearly ever since. Now the obvious question is, how to go about defending your website against such vulnerabilities. Enter dynamic application security testing (DAST). In this article, we’ll introduce you to DAST, its importance, and take a look at the common security concerns with web applications. We will also introduce you to six of the best DAST tools to protect against the top ten vulnerabilities.

What is DAST?

As the name suggests, this is a security testing methodology that uses automated tools to detect security vulnerabilities in web applications. It can be used as part of an overall security assessment or on its own. DAST is different from static analysis, which relies on manual inspection of the code. It is called “dynamic” since it is done at various stages of an application’s development lifecycle and can be used to find both known and unknown vulnerabilities.

Automated DAST vs. Manual DAST

Automated DAST:
Automated DAST is faster and more efficient. It can scan a large number of applications and identify vulnerabilities that may be difficult to find with manual testing. Do bear in mind that automated tools cannot find each and every flaw nor can they be 100% accurate.

Manual DAST:
However, manual testing is also important and should not be neglected. It can be used to supplement automated testing and to find vulnerabilities that may have been missed by the automated tools. While this approach can be more time-consuming, it can be more accurate.

Importance of DAST

It can be used to test applications that are in production
Automated tools can scan applications quickly and easily identify vulnerabilities
Developers get to patch security flaws before the application gets deployed.
It ensures security flaws are dealt with at each and every stage of the app’s development before beginning work on the next phase. This makes it easier to fix future bugs and saves up time in the long run.
DAST can also be used with other security testing methods

DAST is an important part of any web application security program. It can help identify vulnerabilities that other methods may fail to find. Additionally, DAST can be used to test applications regularly, which can help ensure that they are secure and up-to-date.

Security issues in web applications

One of the main reasons businesses are moving online is to take advantage of the potential for increased sales and revenue. However, as with any online operation, there is a risk of cyberattacks. and so, the security of a web application is especially important for businesses that rely on them to conduct their operations. Hackers are increasingly targeting web applications, as they are often an entry point into the network.

The OWASP top 10 security risks in web applications as of 2021:

Broken Access Control: This occurs when an attacker is able to bypass the security measures in place and access resources that they should not have access to.
Cryptographic Failures: This is when an attacker is able to decrypt or forge data by exploiting vulnerabilities in the cryptography used.
Injection and Cross-Site Scripting: This is when an attacker inputs some malicious code into an application which is then executed by the user who is unaware of the manipulation.
Insecure Design: This includes vulnerabilities that are introduced during the design phase of the application. These can be tricky to detect, and/or fix, so it could be a while before these flaws are discovered.
Security Misconfiguration: This is when the security settings of an application are not properly configured, which can leave it open to attack.
Vulnerable and Outdated Components: This is when the application uses components that are no longer supported or have known security vulnerabilities.
Identification and Authentication Failures: This occurs when the authentication process is not properly implemented, which can allow attackers to gain access to the application.
Software and Data Integrity Failures: This is when an attacker is able to modify or delete data in the application.
Security Logging and Monitoring Failures: This is when the security logging and monitoring process is not implemented or is ineffective, which makes it difficult to detect attacks.
Server-Side Request Forgery: This is a type of attack that exploits vulnerabilities in the server. It allows an attacker to inject illegitimate requests into the application, which are then executed by the server.

Web applications need to be tested for the OWASP top ten vulnerabilities. In no way are we implying that web applications cannot have other vulnerabilities.

Top 6 DAST tools

Astra Pentest: This tool was developed by Astra Security, a company that specialises in pentesting, security audits, blockchain/smart contract audit, compliance testing, cloud testing, and more. What’s more, is that security experts from Astra Security are available 24/7 to provide remote support. The Astra Pentest was designed to perform vulnerability assessments and pentesting with the OWASP top ten in mind. It comes with a neat, simple and interactive dashboard that displays real-time threat updates, risk scores and provides you with remediation tips for each vulnerability.
Burp Suite: This is a popular tool that many security professionals turn to. It has a base version and a paid Pro version, both packing all the essential features one would need.
Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP): This is a popular open-source tool. Its user interface is pretty easy to understand making it easy for experts as well as novices to perform scans. Performing a scan is as easy as entering the URL.
HCL AppScan: This is another popular tool from IBM that offers a wide range of features, including the ability to scan mobile applications.
Grendel-Scan: This tool is designed to find vulnerabilities and aid with manual pentesting. It was written in Java and allows integrations with the development process.
WebInspect: This tool from HP offers a wide range of features, including the ability to scan for vulnerabilities in mobile applications.

Conclusion

No web application is immune from attack, so it is important to implement DAST as part of your security testing process. We listed the six best DAST tools that will help you detect the OWASP top ten vulnerabilities. But use this list wisely and remember to branch out in your testing. You should also use other tools and techniques to find all the vulnerabilities in your web application.

Original Source

Things You Need To Know About Website Pen-Testing: A Checklist

Ariaa Reeds — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 07:58:01 +0000

This blog post will provide an overview of this topic so that you can take the necessary steps to secure your website moving forward!

Web application pen-testing is one of the most important aspects of website security. If you want to protect your business, it's crucial that you understand what web application pen-testing is and how to go about getting it done. This blog post will provide an overview of this topic so that you can take the necessary steps to secure your website moving forward!

What is Web Application Pen-Testing?
Web application pen-testing (WAPT) is a security assessment technique that examines web applications for vulnerabilities before the apps are put into production. It includes both black box and white box testing, along with fuzzing and other techniques to identify flaws in an organization's IT infrastructure.

A combination of automated penetration testing tools and manual methods is used by testers during this process. The goal is to determine which web application flaws represent real risks, while also highlighting those that can be easily mitigated without causing disruption for users or other stakeholders.

Types of Web Application Pen Testing
There are three main types of web application pen tests:

Black Box Testing
This is an approach where the tester has no knowledge of the web application's code. It will involve active reconnaissance and discovery techniques to identify vulnerabilities.

Pros and Cons of Black Box Testing- Black box testing is very effective in identifying vulnerabilities that are easy to find. However, it can be difficult to identify more complex vulnerabilities. Additionally, black-box testers may not have the same level of knowledge as the application's developers, which could limit the effectiveness of the test.

White Box Testing
This method requires that testers have access to source code, along with documentation on how this particular app was built. They can then exploit their insider knowledge to conduct a comprehensive assessment.

Pros And Cons of White Box Testing- Having access to the app's source code allows white-box testers to look for specific vulnerabilities that are relevant to your business. However, if there are multiple developers working on an application or any third parties involved in its creation process, it can be challenging to separate each individual's contributions.

Grey Box Testing
This is a combination of black and white box testing, where the tester has some knowledge of the application but not all. They will use this information to probe for vulnerabilities that they would not be able to find through other methods.

Pros and Cons Of Grey Box Testing- Grey box testers have the advantage of being able to find vulnerabilities that are not easy to discover through black or white-box testing methods. However, they may miss some vulnerabilities that could be found through a more comprehensive assessment.

Checklist for Web Application Pen-Testing
There is no one-size-fits-all checklist for web application pen testing, as the approach will vary depending on the organization's IT infrastructure and the specific web application being tested. However, there are some general steps that should be taken during any WAPT assessment:

Identify what needs to be tested
Conduct a vulnerability scan
Determine the goals and scope of the testing
Identify vulnerability types that need to be tested for, based on your organization's business needs and IT infrastructure.
Create a list of vulnerabilities
Conduct a gap analysis in order to identify any risks or vulnerabilities not covered by previous assessments. This will allow you to prioritize them moving forward.
Test each vulnerability using manual and automated assessment techniques to determine its severity and potential impact.
Prioritize vulnerabilities based on your organization's risk tolerance level, factoring in the cost of addressing each flaw. Develop a plan for mitigating or remediating each one.
Prioritize the identified flaws based on risk level and business impact.
Identifying and verifying a web app's IP address, domain name & port number
Enumerating web app directories by using automated tools or manually browsing through links on websites
Crawling for data - Testers may attempt to crawl through all pages within an application to uncover sensitive data and previously unknown functionality
Fuzzing - This is the process of sending random or invalid user input into a web app to identify vulnerabilities. You can use automated tools for this task, but it's often more effective when done manually by trained testers

Pros & Cons of Web Application Security Testing
Even though there are many benefits associated with web application security testing, not everyone is convinced that it's the best approach. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider:

Pros

Web app pen tests can uncover many types of vulnerabilities in your system, including misconfigurations, software bugs, session management issues, and more

Cons

Web application security testing is time-consuming and costly. It also requires skilled testers to complete the assessment properly. Furthermore, it's impossible for a single tester to find all possible vulnerabilities in a complex application.

In order to get the most out of your web application security testing, it's important to have a clear understanding of what needs to be tested and how the process will be carried out. By using a combination of black-box, white-box, and grey-box testing methods, you can uncover many different types of vulnerabilities that may exist in your system.

Conclusion
With cyberattacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, organizations must take proactive steps to secure their websites moving forward. A thorough web application pen test can be an effective way of finding vulnerabilities before they are exploited by hackers.

Source

How to get a job as a AWS Pentester?

Ariaa Reeds — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 09:26:49 +0000

Job as an AWS Pen Tester: Looking forward to becoming an AWS pen tester? Or is your interest piqued in learning more about the industry? If so, this post is for you. For those of us who don’t know what AWS means, it is Amazon Web Services. It’s an online service that offers on-demand cloud computing platforms to individuals and companies all over the world.

The Need For AWS Penetration Testing
AWS is a big target for hackers. As the world’s largest cloud provider, it’s a ripe environment for attackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities and steal data. This is when AWS penetration testing is so important. Penetration testers are hired by companies to identify and exploit security weaknesses in AWS environments.

How to Find AWS Penetration Tester Jobs
There are not too many places where you can find jobs for penetration testers. One place is LinkedIn, where filters can be made use of to narrow their search by job title and location. Some other popular sites include Indeed, CareerBuilder, Monster, Glassdoor, etc. The good news about these websites is that they allow employers to post open positions at no cost or very little cost (depending on the site). Sign up and get access to all the listings. Another option would be attending security conferences like Black Hat USA 2015 and DEF CON 21. These will give you a chance to meet face-to-face with potential employers who may help you land your dream job position.

AWS Penetration Testing Training And Courses
If you’re interested in becoming a pentester, there are several ways to get started. The most common way is to obtain an accredited information security certification such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE). These certifications will demonstrate your expertise in the field and could help you land your first job as an AWS pen tester.

In order to become certified in AWS pen testing, there are a few courses that you can take. The most popular and comprehensive course is the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) offered by the EC-Council. This class will teach you how to penetrate networks and systems like a hacker, find security weaknesses and fix them. It’s a five-day course that covers topics such as footprinting and reconnaissance, scanning and enumeration, gaining access, maintaining access, and covering your tracks. There are also several other courses available through organizations like SANS Institute and GIAC which offer different levels of certification depending on your experience level.

If you’re already working as an AWS pen tester, there are several additional training options. The SANS Institute offers a two-week online penetration testing course that covers techniques for attacking cloud environments. It’s also possible to take more specialized courses focused on areas such as web application security, mobile device security, and social media hacking. These advanced classes are available through private companies like Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), EC Council Certifications, or Offensive Security which is the creator of the popular Kali Linux platform commonly used by hackers today.

These certifications are recognized by employers worldwide and can help you stand out from the competition. As technology evolves, new certifications will likely be created to address the latest trends in information security and penetration testing.

Skills Needed For AWS Penetration Testing
The good news is that the skills you need to become an AWS pen tester are in high demand. In order to be successful, you should be familiar with a variety of hacking techniques and tools. These include footprinting and reconnaissance, scanning and enumeration, password cracking, web application security assessment, and exploitation. You should also have a strong understanding of networking concepts such as IP addresses, ports, protocols, and packet analysis.

Another important skill for pentesters is being able to write scripts in popular programming languages like Python or Ruby. This allows automation of common tasks and thus speeds up the testing process. Finally, it’s also helpful to have experience working in Linux environments since most penetration testing tools are developed for this platform.

Salary For AWS Penetration Testers
AWS penetration testers can expect to earn an average salary between $75,000 and $125,000 per year with bonuses included depending upon geographic location. The higher salaries are usually associated with senior-level pen-testing positions. It’s important to note that the skills you gain in this field will make it easier for you to land a much better position like DevOps or cloud pentesting architect.

Conclusion
The information security field is rapidly witnessing growth and the demand for skilled AWS pentesters is high. If you’re interested in learning how to attack cloud environments, there are many courses and certifications available that can help you get started. With the right skills and training, you can be on your way to a rewarding career as an AWS pentester.

Source of this article: https://www.techcrunchblog.com/guide-to-getting-a-job-as-an-aws-pen-tester/

How to do Cloud Penetration Testing: A Complete Guide

Ariaa Reeds — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 06:24:48 +0000

Cloud penetration testing is a process that involves assessing the security of cloud services. Cloud computing has become increasingly popular and widespread over the past decade, but it also presents many new risks for service providers and users alike. If you’re wondering how to do cloud penetration testing, we’ve got you covered with this complete guide!

Introduction
Once you understand the cloud, cloud penetration testing will be a breeze. Let’s get started!

The first thing to do is identify your cloud environment and any potential risks involved with using it or working within it for an extended period of time. You should also take note of what sort of information flows through the cloud every day so that you can determine how much data is available about users and their actions in various systems connected to this cloud platform. This knowledge will help you decide which areas are most vulnerable during testing. Additionally, knowing whether there are any existing vulnerabilities before the beginning means you won’t waste valuable time chasing dead leads later on in your cloud penetration test!

Overall, when performing cloud pentesting jobs, reconnaissance is the most important part of the process. This is because cloud penetration testing without reconnaissance just isn’t complete, and it can even be dangerous! However, with proper reconnaissance you’ll have all the knowledge necessary to identify your target’s cloud environment, any potential risks involved in using or working within that cloud platform for an extended period of time , what sort of information flows through this cloud every day so you’ll know how much data about users and their actions is available in various systems connected to this particular cloud platform, which areas are vulnerable during testing, whether existing vulnerabilities exist before beginning . This will help you decide which parts are most exposed when performing a cloud pentest.

Why is Cloud Pentesting Important?

Every cloud environment is different, which means cloud penetration testing must be tailored to each individual cloud. A few best practices include keeping your cloud pentest as similar as possible to the real-world attack scenario you want to emulate. For example, if you are targeting a web application running on Amazon EC² or Google’s App Engine, make sure that all components of the test mimic what it would really look like in production!

If cloud penetration tests aren’t performed regularly and consistently then data leakage could occur without anyone even noticing for a while. This will lead attackers right into sensitive areas where they can steal information more easily by circumventing security measures already put in place by admins with access rights. It also leaves doors open for hackers who have already been inside cloud environments for a while and are looking to do some damage.

The cloud is a great place to store data because it scales easily, offers high availability, provides low latency access from anywhere in the world, and allows different applications to share resources without needing their own dedicated hardware. However, cloud penetration testing should be performed regularly on these systems as vulnerabilities can lead attackers right into sensitive areas where they steal information more easily by circumventing security measures already put in place by admins with access rights. Cloud penetration tests also leave doors open for hackers who have already been inside cloud environments for some time now and are looking to cause trouble.

If you’re on Google cloud led infrastructure then gcp penetration testing is a mandatory process for organizations that are seriously considering cloud deployment. Testing for vulnerabilities is a vital part of any security program, but it’s even more important in the cloud because cloud environments are shared resources that reside outside of the firewall of an organization.

Cloud Penetration Testing Risks & Limitations

When performing cloud penetrations tests on systems connected to this particular cloud platform which areas are vulnerable during testing whether existing vulnerabilities exist before beginning. At times some parts of cloud penetration tests can lead to a cloud provider in question.

If cloud pentest testers are looking to emulate an attack scenario that is similar to what it would look like in production, make sure all components of the test mimic real-world scenarios. This will help security professionals avoid any problems when performing active attacks outside their scope during testing – leading clients into thinking all was well when attackers were inside stealing data!

Steps to perform for cloud penetration testing:

Cloud penetration testing reconnaissance
Mapping cloud infrastructure
Identifying critical assets within the cloud environment that should be protected during cloud pentesting
Cloud penetration testing targeting cloud infrastructure
Enumerating cloud services, running port scans and finding vulnerabilities for cloud system exploitation
Identifying security flaws in cloud applications that can be tested during cloud pentesting
Uncovering application entry points by performing web app assessments or cloud service assessments to find out if any sensitive data is being stored on the client-side of the equation. By doing this you are essentially looking at how an attacker might gain access to your organization’s valuable assets through the front door! Of course, it goes without saying that these kinds of attacks should not take place when legitimate cloud penetration tests run into problems with providers – leading clients into thinking all was well when attackers were inside stealing data. If you do uncover cloud application entry points cloud penetration testers should be sure to document each finding clearly so that they can report back to the client without a problem.
The steps mentioned above are some of the most important aspects cloud pentest professionals need to keep in mind while performing cloud penetration tests, but there is more!
Using cloud pentesting tools is that they automate various time-consuming and monotonous tasks which leaves security professionals with extra time on their hands and more cloud pentesting capabilities at their disposal. This is where cloud penetration testing automation comes into play since it allows security professionals to focus on more advanced cloud infrastructure attacks, such as the ones mentioned above!

Cloud Penetration Testing Tools: How To Do It Right?

One major benefit of cloud pentesting tools is that they make cloud penetration testing much more efficient. This is because cloud pentesting tools can only do so much and their capabilities are limited by what you as a user allows them to do, which means it’s up to the tester themselves to use these cloud pentesting tools correctly and efficiently in order for cloud penetration tests to be successful!

This goes without saying that cloud penetration testers should always start with reconnaissance before moving on to targeting individual systems or applications within the cloud environment. Of course, this may sound like common sense but there have been several cases where security professionals performed active attacks outside of their scope during an otherwise legitimate test – leading clients into thinking all was well when in fact attackers were inside stealing data. By starting off with proper cloud penetration testing reconnaissance cloud pentest testers can avoid these kinds of situations entirely.

Before beginning cloud pen tests it’s important to note that cloud environments are very dynamic and they change frequently. This means you need to keep your cloud penetration test approach up-to-date with the most recent changes in cloud architecture, configuration management, etc. If an organization has recently moved certain services onto new servers there is a chance active attacks will be required during cloud pentesting, but if not then passive recon is all you’ll need!

In order to stay up-to-date cloud penetration testers should always keep an eye out for the latest cloud infrastructure updates. For example, if a cloud provider has recently updated their billing system there is a chance that security flaws might have been introduced into the new version – giving cloud pen-testers even more things to look for!

Another aspect which cloud penetration testing professionals need to take note of during cloud penetrations tests are both consequences and documentation; not knowing what will happen after launching attacks against production systems can lead tester’s down dangerous paths (such as data loss or downtime) but it’s equally important that these kinds of outcomes be documented in a report for cloud customers to see.

This is where cloud penetration testers need to show their value and document every step of the way with clear, concise documentation which clearly states what was done leading up to any particular cloud pentesting outcome (be it positive or negative). While this may seem like common sense when reading about cloud penetration testing in an article such as this one – you would be surprised how often security professionals miss key steps during cloud penetration tests!

If you do uncover cloud application entry points cloud penetration testers should be sure they’re documented each finding clearly so that they can report back without a problem. For example: if there were SQL injection vulnerabilities present on an internal billing system then these kinds of findings should not only be documented in a cloud penetration test report but also the findings should be submitted to cloud providers immediately so they can patch any persistent cloud application security issues.

Conclusion
Cloud penetration testing is a crucial step in the cloud security process. Organizations that do not perform this type of check place themselves and their customers at risk for cyberattacks, data breaches and malware infections. If you are looking to protect your organization from these types of threats, we recommend implementing regular cloud penetration tests into your overall information technology strategy.

Original Source: https://www.softwarepatch.com/

How To Perform An IT Security Audit: A Checklist And The Best Tools Available

Ariaa Reeds — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 07:17:20 +0000

What is an IT Security Audit?
An IT security audit is the process of assessing and evaluating the security of an organisation’s information technology infrastructure. The main goal of conducting such an audit is to identify any weaknesses that could be exploited by a cybercriminal and fix them before they can cause any damage.

What should an IT Security Audit include?
There are several components to an IT security audit. Let’s break them down:

Threats and vulnerabilities assessment – A threat is any potential danger that can exploit your system or data, while vulnerability refers to the weakness in your network’s defences against such threats. During an IT security audit, you have to identify all these possible dangers and find ways to patch up the vulnerabilities.

Policy and procedure review – A big part of ensuring your organisation’s security is having a set of written policies and procedures that everyone follows. During an IT security audit, you have to make sure these are up to date and effective.

Technical scan – This is where you use various tools to find all the possible vulnerabilities that are lurking in your network.

Risk assessment – You have to determine how serious a threat or vulnerability is, where it’s coming from and who could be affected by it. This part of an IT security audit helps you prioritise which ones should be fixed first.

How to perform an IT Security Audit: Our Checklist

Now that we know what goes into an IT security audit, let’s take a look at how to conduct one.

Gather all of the information you’ll need about your company’s IT infrastructure. This includes data like:

Which systems are in use?
What software is installed on each system?
What are the credentials to access all these systems?
What are the network configurations?

With this data in hand, we begin the IT security audit process.

The checklist:

To start, have a clear idea of your company’s security policies and regulations.

Reduce room for human error by training employees with the best IT security practices.
Assess log-in credentials and harden them if necessary.
Identify the devices and operating systems dealing with sensitive data.
Check that all devices are updated and have an antivirus installed.
Review your network infrastructure and check if network penetration testing is required.
Assess what’s at risk.
Limit access to sensitive data.
Use an updated firewall.
Scan for vulnerabilities and malware.
Conduct penetration tests.
Monitor your traffic and user activity logs.

The best tools for conducting an IT Security Audit

There are many tools out there that can help you with this, but some of our favorites include:

Nessus – This free tool scans for vulnerabilities in your network and gives you a full report on what they are. It also offers a way to patch these up.

Nmap – This is a free network scanner that can detect vulnerabilities and malware on your system. It also shows you the open ports, which systems are connected, and more.

*Nikto *– Nikto cross checks your website against a database of recognized vulnerabilities with this tool. It also lets you know if there is any outdated software that needs to be updated.

Metasploit – This tool is a hacker’s dream, but you can also use it for good. It lets you simulate actual attacks on your system to see how it would hold up.

Burp Suite – This is a comprehensive tool that helps you test the security of your web applications. It’s possible to examine all of the traffic that passes between your browser and the web server using it. This is great for debugging and finding vulnerabilities.

There are many other great tools out there, but these should get you started. Perform an IT security audit today.

Original Source: https://hackingvision.com/2021/12/13/perform-security-audit-checklist-best-tools-available/

Penetration Testing: How to do it and the methodology

Ariaa Reeds — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 06:31:47 +0000

Penetration testing is an essential process in the security industry. It provides a good insight into how secure your company's IT infrastructure is and helps to find vulnerabilities that can be fixed before it's too late. However, many companies don't know much about this practice or what methodology they should use when conducting penetration tests on their own networks. In this blog post, we will discuss the different phases of penetration testing, as well as provide tips for getting started with your own company-wide assessment.

Things to keep in mind while doing penetration testing
The first thing you should do is to assemble your team. You will need two types of people: penetration testers and project managers/team leads.

Once the team is assembled, it's time to decide on the scope of what needs testing. Penetration tests can be either external or internal; they can also target single systems (such as servers) or larger networks composed of multiple domains connected together. Generally speaking, smaller companies don't really have enough infrastructure for an in-depth assessment so you might want to limit yourself to professional pen test services providers if that's the case with your business.

Now let's talk about how a company would go about conducting its own targeted penetration test versus having someone else do it for them. This depends on the size of your company, but generally speaking if you have a small business with less than 100 employees or so, penetration testing is best done internally by everyone in the team rather than hiring an external third party agency to come and test you.

Always document what was tested and how; be careful not to harm anyone during your assessment (such as shutting down access points); constantly monitor traffic going into and out of your network.

In case you want to do Cloud penetration testing of your cloud services, penetration tests are executed for security tests of a system, a service or a network in order to find security weaknesses in them. The main purpose is to find security issues in your cloud service before hackers do.

Penetration Testing Methodology

There are four main phases to a penetration test:

Intelligence gathering,
Scanning and enumeration,
Gaining access, and,
Maintaining access.

Let's discuss these phases in details"

Intelligence Gathering:

This first phase of the assessment is all about researching your target and figuring out how best to approach it (from an offensive perspective). Intelligence gathering involves finding as much information as possible about your company's infrastructure; this includes looking for technical details such as which servers you have running in house, what type of hardware those machines run on, open ports/services that might be available publicly (and if these can be accessed remotely), etc. There's also typically some reconnaissance work done online via search engines or social media websites like LinkedIn where professionals working at your company could potentially lead testers straight to their intended target.

Scanning and Enumeration:

This is the phase where you will be looking to find out what vulnerabilities are present on your network infrastructure, which services/applications have open ports that can potentially be attacked or accessed by an outside party if they know about them, etc. It's also during this time when various tools are used for fingerprinting hosts to figure out what type of operating system they run so testers can determine whether these machines could become vulnerable targets later on down the road once more information has been gathered from other parts of the penetration test. There are many different types of scanning tools available depending on your needs; some options include NMAP, Astra Pentest or Retina CS.

Gaining Access:

This is the phase where penetration testers do their best to break into your network infrastructure and start looking for vulnerabilities they can exploit in order to run other tools or applications that could help them maintain access. The goal of this stage is typically to try getting a shell on as many machines as possible so additional privileges can be gained if these systems have been incorrectly configured or insecurely deployed from an IT perspective. You may even find out during this time that some machines are already fully compromised by malicious outsiders trying to attack you, which means there's no need for further testing because it would be pointless at that point.

Maintaining Access:

The final step involves actually keeping yourself inside our company's network once you've successfully gained access to it. This is the fun part where penetration testers look for ways they can leverage their unauthorized network privileges and make a real impact on your company's business processes, data or anything else that might be useful from an outsider's perspective. At this point you should have already used various tools/code during each of the previous three steps in order to gain access as well as maintain it long term so everything can be properly documented for reporting purposes at the end of the assessment once all testing has been completed .

Tools to conduct Penetration Testing

Penetration testing is a technical assessment method used to test the security of your company's network infrastructure. There are multiple open-source and commercial tools available for doing penetration testing for your IT infrastructure.

Here are a few tools you can use for penetration testing:

NMAP - an open port scanner and analyzer which is free of cost. It also has a command line interface that can be used from the terminal/cmd prompt.

Cain and Able - a tool that can be used for cracking/brute forcing passwords.

Retina CS - It's another commercial product available which has both console and GUI interfaces, supports IPvX as well as IPvY scanning and also performs vulnerability scans on services using multiple credentials types (e.g: plaintext ,NTLM etc).

Astra Pentest- a GUI based tool that can be used for scanning and analyzing the target system.

Nessus - a vulnerability scanner that can be used for scanning open ports, services and other vulnerabilities on the target system.

OpenVAS- It's an Open Source Vulnerability Scanner which is based on the Nessus framework.

Canvas - a commercial product available in both free as well as paid editions, provides lots of features like automated scanning, vulnerability scoring, report generation etc.

Metasploit - It is an open source exploit development and pen-testing framework that provides various modules for attacking different services too which further helps penetration testers to choose their preferred method of attack on the target system.

Burp Suite - a web application security testing tool used by pentesters to intercept traffic between the browser and the web application, modify that traffic as well as to inject custom scripts into the requests.

Aircrack-ng - an open source tool used for hacking WiFi networks by capturing packets data over wireless connection. It is also capable of grabbing handshakes too which are essential in cracking wifi passwords if captured properly during the testing phase.

Wrapping Up...

Many thanks for reading this blog post! We've talked about what penetration testing is and the methodology that's involved when conducting it in order to help you better understand how an actual pen test is conducted from beginning to end here today . Hopefully, by now, you have a much more comprehensive idea of all the steps involved during Penetration Testing.

Original Source

Web App Security Testing

Ariaa Reeds — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 07:04:34 +0000

Websites and web applications have undergone a revolution since the time they came into the market until date. There were approximately 1.83 billion websites on the internet in January 2021, based on the statistics. These web apps can provide features that were not imaginable by anyone and were almost next to impossible.

Business holders are bringing their businesses directly approachable for the valued customers via the websites every day. These organizations are rolling out new updates quickly to improvise the user experience and provide the best in market services. There are web applications designed for finance, marketing, banking, online shopping, etc. that make customers' lives more convenient and open doors for cybercriminals.

Cybercriminals are always prepared to exploit an open vulnerability and break into the organization's system to accomplish their malicious intentions or earn revenue illegally. This makes Web app security testing a necessity to assure the all-time smooth functioning of your website.

Basics of Security Testing

Security testing is a type of software testing, which includes recognizing the potential risks, vulnerabilities, and threats present in a system. The core reason behind security testing is to make your system setup impenetrable and inaccessible for cybercriminals.

Security professionals make efforts to ensure that the key features of an application work smoothly without any security gaps in the production environment. Several aspects of security like data confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, etc., are put under test to gain the best results for assessing the web application.

Introduction to Web App Security Testing

Web app security testing is a methodology to assess the security loopholes and flaws present in your web application to prevent security and data breaches, malware, and other cyberattacks. A comprehensive web app security testing discloses all the hidden risky endpoints that a hacker might use to break into your system and exploit it for their good.

Companies and organizations are building the latest technology-based web applications hastily due to the neck-to-neck competition. Due to these prompt code applications for sensitive activities like banking and finance are more prone to cybercrimes and illegal activities.

There have been reports that state that security teams took several months to unveil the presence of an external entity in their systems. The main aim of a hacker is to stay hidden in the web application for as long as possible to cause maximum damage.

Web app security testing is the key to successfully get rid of the external agents who break into your system with malicious intentions and ensure an all-time smooth functioning of your web app.

Why do you need Web App Security Testing?

The web app security testing targets to find security risks and potential vulnerabilities in the design, logic, or configuration of a web application. The web app security testing process involves sending incorrect inputs and wait for the system response to judge the behavior of the web app in unexpected circumstances.
These negative tests assess whether the system is doing something that it is not supposed to do.

Judging the System Response

The problem arises when the system reveals confidential and sensitive information meant only for the internal teams due to negative tests or inappropriate inputs. Security testing procedures help the experts and organizations to understand and analyze the system response and the weak ends left by the development team.

Adhere to security compliances

Web application security testing is not only to protect your web app from external threats but also to adhere to the mandatory compliances or audit standards to keep providing your services without obstacles. These are some common security goals laid out by organizations for web apps all across the globe. Security testing reports provide in-depth details of the missing purposes to avoid penalties for non-compliance.

Financial and trust damage

A cyberattack on your web application can cause you mental trauma and, at the same time, would cost you a heavy revenue loss. The longer it takes to recover from the attack, the more expensive it becomes. Once the security of your web app is broken, customers start to have trust issues while dealing with your web app. They prefer to stay away, which breaks the business-customer loyalty built with efforts over the past years within a few days of the security breach.

Methodologies for Security Testing in Web Apps?

Web app security testing is a complex process that involves various phases, techniques, and steps to execute and report all the loopholes present in a web application to plan mitigation and remedial policy efficiently.

Some of the most commonly used methodologies for web app security testing are as follows:

Password Cracking: Web app security testing begins with 'Password Cracking' to login to private sections of a web app. One can use a password cracker tool or guess the most commonly used usernames and passwords for this procedure. The open-source password crackers have a list of these commonly used usernames and passwords. If the web app does not make it mandatory to use a complex password with a combination of alphanumeric and special symbols, etc., the passwords are cracked in no time.

Cybercriminals also try to steal the unencrypted passwords stored in cookies using different techniques and fetch your organization's sensitive information.

URL manipulation

The security testers must verify that an application should not pass critical information in the URL query. It is possible only if the developers use the HTTP GET method for the exchange of data in client-server communication. If the web app uses unsecured protocols like HTTP, the web app has security issues associated with it.

The attackers can modify the input variables present in the GET request and corrupt the data stored or steal the organization's confidential information. It is a must to transfer such sensitive information only via secured channels via HTTPS.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

This is one of the most common techniques to hinder the functioning or working of a web application. If the web application accepts HTML or scripts from HTML, the website is prone to cyberattacks. Hackers use this method on browsers to implement malicious URL inputs on the browser. This reveals the sensitive credentials that are further used to access business logic and other sensitive details.

SQL Injection

A web application database is its back-end support system that stores all the essential information, user and employee credentials, user data, and other sensitive information. If an application's database is compromised, details of thousands or millions of users are readily available for the cybercriminals to misuse or sell on the dark web to earn huge profits.

SQL injections are often used to fetch information from the web application's database. Attackers can use SQL statements as user inputs to fetch vital and confidential information related to your web app. Check for the piece of codes in your codebase where you execute direct MySQL queries by accepting user inputs to discover SQL injection entry points.

Closing remarks

If your web application has millions of users and deals with sensitive information, it is mandatory to have web app security testing for your app regularly. The earlier a web app is tested for security issues, the faster is the bug fix or the mitigation process, and the lesser is the loss caused due to the cyberattacks. It would help if you tried to comprehend the significance of web app security testing and encompass it in the Software Development Life Cycle.

Once you get the web app security testing results, always keep your developers prepared to fix the issues on priority to prevent security breaches.

Cybersecurity is often misunderstood by the development and management teams of an organization that makes it necessary to consult a professional to assist you with all the security-related issues of your web app. It is a good practice to consult cybersecurity experts.

Guide to Starting a Career as a Developer in the Blockchain Industry

Ariaa Reeds — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 04:41:41 +0000

The demand for blockchain developers, as per a LinkedIn report has multiplied by 33 times in the last couple of years, given their increasing need off late in multiple industry sectors. The fintech sector has been the biggest beneficiary of the application of blockchain technology over the years. But, in the recent past, many other business sectors have come to realize the business benefits that are attainable from the use of the said disruptive technology.

Blockchain technology market size globally between 2018 & 2025 (in billion USD)
Source: Statista

Besides, a career in blockchain in 2021 would promise fast career growth alongside bestowing upon you pretty handsome monetary benefits. The yearly salaries of blockchain developers and engineers in the US, at present, range between USD 70,000 and USD 200,000, with the average being $136,000. As a matter of fact, blockchain wallet users grew tremendously during the time period between 2015 and 2018, from 3 million to a whopping 28 million. Blockchain skills are ranked among the 20 fastest-growing professional skills, as per a number of reputed research publications.

What Does a Blockchain Developer Do?

A blockchain engineer possesses the knowledge to create and hone decentralized apps and smart contracts while following the standard blockchain development protocols. Blockchain developers also perform 3D content development, 3D design, and 3D modeling. However, the work differs based on the nature of work, and the industry a developer works into.

In other words, a blockchain developer’s duties comprise managing the entire life cycle of a blockchain application, starting from research & analysis, to design & execution. These professionals have to leverage multiple programming languages to develop features, architecture, and interfaces for different sorts of purposes, e.g. monetary transaction processing. Aspirants can enroll in industry-relevant blockchain certifications to gain skills that are in demand at the moment.

How to Train Yourself Becoming a Blockchain Developer?

Understand the basics of blockchain technology

Learn the fundamentals of blockchain technology which comprises concepts such as cryptocurrencies, security, mining, hashing functions, consensus mechanisms, and decentralization. Also, ensure learning blockchain components that include block time, block hash, timestamps, block index, and blocks. To learn the blockchain basics, one can always enroll in skill-specific blockchain certification programs that are available online.

Hands-on Learning is a Must

Being a prospective blockchain professional, you need to have hands-on experience with the development of blockchain applications. What you can do for that is, download the already existing apps and wallets and try learning how they operate or work. Spend time creating and using private keys and wallet addresses, learn transferring value like crypto over multiple blockchains.

The other critical things to acquire hands-on experience in, would comprise understanding and interact with smart contract platforms and exchanges, learning data, and transaction recording. For aid, an aspirant can network with current blockchain developers on the online forums. Remember, the blockchain industry is growing big with each day passing by, hence, a plethora of job opportunities on hold for you. Just acquire the requisite skillset, and you will be welcomed on the commercial side of the blockchain world.

Practice Coding & Earn Valuable Professional Certifications

Blockchain technology is a practicing art. You will never be good at it unless you practice it much. Coding is an integral part of a blockchain professional’s work life. And that’s why, as an aspirant, you must prepare and practice it as regularly as possible. Learn the fundamentals of programming languages such as Javascript and C++, and also ensure understanding the application part of it, i.e. how are these languages going to contribute to blockchain coding. Learn about the coding languages that are the most compatible with optimizing blockchain performance. Code analysis is another vital facet of blockchain development that you should learn.