Your web site is your virtual business. Similar to a "brick and mortar" physical business, security measures need also apply; you should metaphorically lock the doors and windows and set the alarm for your web presence.

If you've been reading the technical news in the last year, you may have learned that website hacking is at an all time high with little indication of slowing down.

According to a recent security report, a different website is hacked every five seconds.   That’s 12 sites a minute and 720 sites an hour.  If you have a public web presence, the probability is that your site will be attacked in 2011.

Malicious Methods

Hacking attempts on websites generally use a few common methods - SQL Injections, Cross Site Scripting and Form Spamming.

• SQL Injections - An attacker attempts to insert database query codes into user forms or URLs that reference your site's database. The goal is to extract and steal secure data from the database such as customer information.
• Cross-Site Scripting -Malicious scripts are inserted into the otherwise benign and trusted web sites. The code then attempts to exploit security vulnerabilities in the site visitor's web browser, often to insert malware on the user's computer.
• Form Spamming -This attack attempts to exploit weaknesses in a web site form in order to use the web site to relay spam email to thousands of addresses.

A successful security breach could lead to lost revenue and customers, damaged reputation and brand, code leakage, and compliance violations.

Lock Your Doors

So how does one protect one's web site from malicious hackers?

A security audit is the most common form of self-protection. Arrange for your IT department to run an audit on your web site. If internal resources are not available, hire a development firm, such as Web Teks, to do the security audit and check your site for vulnerabilities to these common attacks. The cost of performing this audit is small compared to the damage in revenue or reputation a successful attack on your site could bring.

Contact Web Teks to discuss a security audit for your website.  We can help protect your online business from hackers and malicious methods.