Typical risk factors for businesses that everyone should be aware of
Caution is better than Hindsight
Caution is better than Hindsight
In the digital age, it is more important than ever to protect ourselves from attacks on systems and data. Many different types of attacks can threaten our security. In this article, we will look at the most common entry points:
In 2022, more than 20,000 new vulnerabilities were reported. This is a 25% increase compared to 2021. (CVE Details 2023) The typical causes of vulnerabilities in vendor applications are a lack of patch management or non-existent lifecycle management.
Programming errors are mistakes in the source code of an application or arise during the development of software. They can occur at both the application and operating system levels and are often the result of improperly used functions. Examples of typical coding errors are SQL injection and XSS (Cross-Site Scripting). In SQL injection, an attacker can inject malicious code into an SQL query to gain unauthorized access to data in a database. In Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), an attacker can inject malicious code into a web page that is then executed on the user's computer when they visit the website.
Misconfigurations refer to incorrect configuration of systems or applications that can lead to compromised security. These errors can arise when settings are not configured correctly or when specific security settings are omitted. An example of misconfiguration is the use of default passwords that are used when installing devices or applications. The problem with default passwords is that they are generally known and stored, making them an easy target for attackers.
Architecture errors can occur in both system and network architecture. A typical example of an architecture error related to network architecture is a lack of network segmentation. This refers to dividing a network into multiple logical sections to limit the spread of malware or attacks. Without adequate segmentation, there is a risk of gaining access to sensitive data and systems.
The human factor is one of the most significant risks. In 2020, for example, about 25% of all data breaches were due to phishing attacks. (Bassett et al., 2021) The human factor often poses the greatest risk, as attackers frequently exploit human weaknesses to obtain valuable information that allows an attacker to compromise an organization. To protect against these attacks, there are training and awareness measures, as well as good spam filters and other tools that can help.
In this article, we looked at the five most typical risk factors. Each of these points can be addressed and reduced through appropriate measures. Pentests help identify specific attack vectors and problems so that they can be targeted and fixed. Next time, you'll learn more about the different types of Pentests.