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Scanning a company’s website for vulnerabilities is an important step in protecting the business from cyber attacks and data breaches. By identifying and fixing weaknesses in web applications, businesses can prevent cybercriminals from accessing sensitive data or taking control of the system. This can help protect the business’s reputation and prevent the spread of attacks to other key systems.

SQL injection attack is an instance of website vulnerability that can be detected and thwarted by conducting scans. In a SQL injection attack, a cybercriminal tries to inject malicious code into a web application’s database by altering input fields. If the attack is successful, the perpetrator can gain access to sensitive data or take control of the system. Vulnerability scanning of the company’s website can recognize and prevent this kind of attack by identifying unusual syntax or unexpected input.

Cross-site scripting (XSS) attack is another type of website vulnerability that can be detected and prevented by conducting scans. In an XSS attack, a cybercriminal inserts malicious code into a web page, which is subsequently executed by the victim’s web browser. This can enable the attacker to obtain sensitive information, such as login credentials, or even take over the victim’s system. By scrutinizing the source code of the web application for potential issues, vulnerability scanning of the company’s website can identify and prevent this type of attack.

The Target data breach of 2013 and the Yahoo data breaches of 2013 and 2014 are examples of well-known security breaches that could have been prevented through website scanning. In the Target breach, hackers gained unauthorized access to the retailer’s systems by exploiting a vulnerability in the heating and air conditioning vendor’s web application. The Yahoo breaches, which affected all three billion of the company’s user accounts, were the result of multiple weaknesses in the company’s web applications and network security. In both cases, conducting regular vulnerability scans of the company’s website could have identified and mitigated the vulnerabilities exploited by the attackers.

Two examples of technologies that can be used for website scanning are:

• Web application firewalls
  • A web application firewall (WAF) shields web applications from malicious traffic by monitoring, filtering, and blocking any unauthorized HTTP/S traffic from reaching the web application. It also restricts any unauthorized data from leaving the web application.

• Static code analysis tools
  • A static code analysis tool examines code while it is being written to detect defects, vulnerabilities, and compliance issues. This analysis can be performed without the need to run the program.

Below are four key takeaways of the benefits of website scanning for businesses:

1. Scanning a company’s website for vulnerabilities is an important step in protecting against cyber attacks and data breaches.
2. Identifying and fixing weaknesses in web applications can help protect the business’s reputation and prevent the spread of attacks to other key systems.
3. Web application firewalls (WAFs) and static code analysis tools are two examples of technologies that can be used to scan a company’s website for vulnerabilities.
4. It is important for businesses to regularly scan their websites to ensure they are secure and up to date.