SQL injection attacks pose a continuous threat to the security and integrity of websites and apps. These attacks provide an easy way for cybercriminals to access a treasure trove of data. From credit card details to passwords, cybercriminals often use these attacks to steal data. Likewise, an attacker can also take over target apps and execute arbitrary code. Therefore, apps and website owners need to vigilantly monitor their products for SQL vulnerabilities.
How To Prevent SQL Injection Attacks
SQL injection is a wide category of code injection attacks of various types. Numerous ways exist to prevent these attacks. Yet, for anyone facing difficulties in applying these measures, cybersecurity professionals such as Indusface can be hired to protect your websites and apps.
1. Keep Your Site Updated
Like always, having your site updated is necessary to avoid any cyber attack. From plugins for a CMS such as WordPress, product owners must ensure that every component running on the platform is up-to-date.
2. Restrict Your Input
Restricting and sanitizing input is another effective strategy to avoid SQL injection. It means that you limit running queries via input fields against specific preset matches only. For instance, limiting usernames and passwords to a number only or a letter only format sans any special characters.
3. Reduce Attack Surface
Another way to prevent SQL injection is to leave no space for it. While coding, make sure to reduce the surface area that could potentially allow an attacker to inject code.
4. Parameterized Queries and PHP Data Objects
Parameterized queries allows the server to recognize the code against a pre-run placeholder in the input field, therefore the server would anticipate an incoming command and distinguish any query that does not exist. Recent PHP versions also allow setting user inputs as PHP Data Objects. This further restricts the server to read the user input only as Data, and avoid executing embedded commands.
5. Scan Your Site For Bugs
Regardless of how well-coded a platform is, the chances of vulnerabilities always exist. Therefore, to prevent SQL injection attacks, scan your site at regular intervals through various security tools. You can also hire the services of cybersecurity experts to review your code for any bugs.
6. Use Trusted Plugins
For common and popular platforms such as WordPress, one may find a plethora of plugins and themes offering various features. Nonetheless, not every theme or plugin comes from a reliable source. Therefore make sure to use only those components that come from trusted sources and are up-to-date.
Conclusion
SQL injection attacks leverage minor bugs to cause major damages to a target website or app. Although, one can remedy these attacks when noticed, reimbursing the extent of the damage incurred remains a painful process. Therefore, it is better to stay vigilant and apply measures to prevent such an attack from occurring altogether. For assistance, security firms like Indusface are always available.