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The number of hackers learning to use web applications and APIs to exploit data has increased rapidly. Yet Gartner predicts that by 2025, less than 50% of enterprise APIs will be managed, showcasing the ever-increasing importance of web application and API security.
Why Are Attackers Targeting Web Applications and APIs?
With the number of web applications and APIs continuing to skyrocket, it’s important to understand what web application threats are out there. A web application threat (WAT) targets an organization via its website or applications. Organizations should address these security concerns at each stage of development. WATs are categorized into several different types. Some of the most common ones include:
External WATs
Internal WATs
Social media WATs
Malicious code WATs
Phishing/hacking WATs
Failing to address the security of a web application can lead to serious threats and long-term damage. The same goes for APIs. The rise of APIs that are freely open for public use has enabled nearly the entire computing world to use them to improve connectivity between applications and data. While this might provide some great advantages, the openness also makes them a target for attackers.
Over time, attackers have mastered methods of writing code specifically aimed at abusing APIs. Just as developers can write code to fetch data from an organization’s system, attackers can do the same with a piece of malware. They can use malicious apps and APIs to wreak havoc on unsuspecting users. The goal is to infect innocent users with malware so attacks can later be launched against organizations or even individuals.
When a web application or API is breached, attackers have easy access to data. Further, the attackers could be able to access private data and also spread malware across multiple devices. For organizations to protect themselves from such attacks, they must put tight security measures in place.
WATs and API threats will only become more sophisticated and…
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