Web Hosting Reviews & Ratings

January 21, 2010

Web Applications: Are They a Security Risk?

Did you know that most web applications leave your website and operating system vulnerable to attacks and intrusions? This may come as a shock to you considering the popularity of web applications in the age of ever expanding open source software, such as control panels. It seems everyday new applications are being designed to make your job as a webmaster and domain owner “easier.” However with this simplicity comes vulnerability in many cases. This is why it is important to scan your web applications for vulnerabilities before using them with your website.

Even your control panel and CMS are liabilities to your site's security in many cases. Many hackers focus solely on infiltrating websites using the loopholes left by these web applications. I am sure you've been using programs like these for years now, and may think it is a bit paranoid to be concerned about the risk they pose, however I assure you it is a very real risk indeed. The only way to use these applications without taking a risk is to scan them for vulnerabilities.

Hackers Circumvent Security Measures By Infiltrating Administrative Web Applications

Most web hosting companies and business owners have a plethora of security measures in place that they believe makes their valuable information safe. Indeed, if the administrative interface is left at default, and no applications are added, then this may be true. However, 90 percent of users will add one or several web application, and hackers know this all to well. They also know that if they can crack the web application then there is high chance of them being able to access your administrative interface, and from there, the sky is the limit. It is important to keep a balance between convenience and security, as most of the web applications that are designed to make you job easier, also make you more susceptible to server invasions.  In fact unscanned web applications are seen as the leading security concern by many IT experts.

Scanning Web Applications

Of course you are probably not looking forward to getting rid of your handy web applications anytime soon. There is an option for you though; web application scanners. These applications scan web applications and detect vulnerabilities within the software. To make sure you're getting the most out of your web application scanner, you'll want to make sure it has certain key features. It is important to ensure that the software is capable of scanning programs that were designed in all of the popular programming languages. You should also verify the capability of the program to handle large amounts of scans in a short period of time, especially if you are building a large website. Last but not least, you will need a scanner that will return results that can be understood by anyone, regardless of their level of expertise in internet technology. Scanning your web applications is a very important part of maintaining your website's security, and no serious business owner should use a web application without scanning it first.

Tags: website attack,  web applications,  vulnerable website,  security measures,  open source software,  hackers,  administrative interface,  website intrusion