http://neoerudition.net/why-is-anti-spyware-software-important-to-online-security

Over the past decade, millions of businesses have embraced web applications as an inexpensive way to build relationships and transactions with prospects and customers. But while they provide the opportunity for greater customer insight and efficiency, web applications also have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. One of the most common and devastating of these is a web attack.

A web attack is a form of cyberattack, where the attacker is a fake to access sensitive information or do malicious activities, like taking credit card numbers or other personal data. Common types of attacks on the web include Structured Query Language injection (SQLi) as well as cross-site scripting (XSS), and file upload attacks.

In a SQLi attack hackers input custom Structured Query Language commands into a web application or website field to steal private data stored in the backend database server. In an XSS, hackers inject malicious code into a web application or website that is automatically executed by the victim’s browser without validation or encryption. The attack can hijack the user’s session, display unauthorised images or words, or redirect users to a fake website.

The best way to defend against cyberattacks is to run regular vulnerability scans and apply patches to your website, its web servers, and any other databases that are underlying. It is also a good idea to devise an incident response plan to ensure that an attack can be identified quickly and dealt with. Also, ensure that you are aware of ways to spot an attack on your website by observing warning indicators such as slowdowns in the network or intermittent shutdowns of websites.