Security Testing Archives - Page 3 of 5

Network Penetration Testing – All You Need to Know!

Posted on December 10, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Network penetration testing which is also called ‘pen testing’ is an important process related to finding weaknesses in networks and protecting them from hackers.
It is basically a kind of practice of testing a computer system, network or web application in order to find weaknesses as well as security vulnerabilities.
Overview of Network Penetration testing
When it comes to a network system, Many hardware and software system has to work harmoniously to make sure that data transfer is happening with no trouble. Owing to the same, there is a huge chance of vulnerabilities being exploited by hackers. To make sure that there is no loose end in a network system, penetration testing can be performed.

Performance testing can reveal a security flaw in any particular network environment
Helps in understanding the risk
Can be used to fix network flaws

Methods of Network Penetration Testing:
In order to execute network penetration testing, two distinctly different methods are generally applied.
They are,

Internal network penetration testing
External network penetration testing

It is very important to know the differences between these two different kinds of network penetration testing for executing these effectively.
Why Should I Conduct A Network Penetration Testing?

All the vulnerabilities that can be used by hackers against you can be found out.
Recovery costs after hacking is

Internal Network Penetration Testing
Internal network penetration testing is a kind of test that is used to find out issues from the inside.
Here, a consultant is placed within the corporate environment and connected to the internal network.
Internal network penetration testing is more important than the external.
It is because the attack from the inside can do greater damage compared to an external attack.
In the case of an internal attack, some of the protection systems have already been bypassed and the person on the inside understands where the network is located and the person knows very well what to do right from the beginning.
The threat is more intensive in the case of an internal attack and that makes it different from the external network penetration testing.
External Network Penetration Testing
An external penetration test is completely different from the internal network penetration test as here the consultant is not connected to the internal network.
In this case, a consultant is placed in order to look for the security issues from the outside of the network over the public internet.
External penetration testing has been being used for a long time and therefore it is also called the traditional form of penetration testing.
In order to make out the ability of an intruder to the internal network of a computer system, this kind of penetration testing is designed.
There are many different methods which are used in this form of testing. One of the important methods is to use a web app or application.
It may be vulnerable or it might trick a user of the system into providing their important information like their password.
It may also provide access to the VPN (Virtual Private Network) and consequently, someone from the outside can get the full access and the black hat hackers can do anything with the network staying outside.

Internal and External Penetration Testing Tools:

Generally, automated tools are used in internal as well as external penetration testing in order to identify malicious codes.
Basically, these penetration testing tools can identify hard-coded values like usernames and passwords and thus verify vulnerabilities in the system.
There are some characteristics of these tools which are mentioned below:

Tools should be easy to use and configure
It should scan a system without any issue
Tools should categorize the vulnerabilities depending upon its intensity
It should re-verify the previous vulnerabilities or exploits
It should generate detailed vulnerability reports and logs

There are many free penetration testing tools available on the internet and it enables the pen testers to adapt or modify the codes depending upon their own needs.
Some most widely used free pen-testing tools are mentioned below:

The Metasploit Project (an open-source project owned by Rapid7, a security company)
Nmap or Network Mapper
Wireshark

The interesting thing is that both white hats and black hats can use these tools as these are free.
But, these tools also help the pen testers to understand the functionality of these tools in a better way and they also make out how these tools can be driven against their organizations.
Internal and External Penetration testing strategies:
There are some strategies used by the pen testers mentioned below:

External testing

External testing is executed to find out how far an outside attacker can get in after gaining full access.
Generally, a company’s external servers like domain name servers, email servers are tested through this testing.

Internal testing

Internal testing simulates an inside attack that is performed by an authorized user and this kind of test is executed to find out how far an intruder can damage a system if he or she is connected to the internal network.
However, there are many other strategies like blind testing, black-box testing, white-box testing but, among those the strategies mentioned above are commonly used.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it may be remarked the results of internal and external penetration testing can give a perfect picture of the security of a system.
These tests are very useful in order to get rid of the weaknesses as the reports related to these tests provide accurate suggestions. Though it is difficult to make a system invulnerable, these tests are still useful to cut down the threats.

Information Security Testing Guide For You

Posted on November 16, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Online applications are becoming increasingly refined as the world gets more organized.
Small and mid-sized organizations currently depend aggressively on web applications for maintaining their business and expanding income.

Application engineers, designers, and developers are currently centered around making more secure application structures and on planning and composing secure code.
With the end goal to make an application safe, it is basic to have a solid procedure for security testing.
What’s exactly Information Security Testing?
Information security testing is the act of testing stages, administrations, frameworks, applications, gadgets and procedures for data security vulnerabilities.
It is regularly exceptionally robotized with instruments that examine for known vulnerabilities and mimic assaults utilizing realized risk designs.
It might likewise incorporate a progression of manual risks by talented data security pros.
How do you start with Information Security Testing?
Installing security testing in the improvement procedure is basic for uncovering application layer security flaws.
Subsequently, security testing must begin ideally from the necessity gathering stage to comprehend the security prerequisites of the application.
The ultimate objective of security testing is to recognize whether an application is powerless against risks, if the data framework ensures the information while looking after usefulness, any capability of data spillage, and to survey how the application acts when looked with a destructive attack.
Security testing is likewise a part of practical testing since there are some fundamental security tests that are a piece of functional testing.

Also Read : The Security Challenge Posed by the Internet of Things: How to Rectify Them

Additionally, security testing should be organized and implemented independently. Not at all like functional testing that approves what the analyzers know and ought to be valid, security testing centers around the unclear components and test the endless ways that application would be able to.
Types of Security Testing:
In order to come up with a safe application, security analyzers need to direct the accompanying tests:
Vulnerability Checks:
Vulnerability check tests the whole framework under test, to recognize framework vulnerabilities, escape clauses, and suspicious powerless marks.
This sweep recognizes and characterizes the framework shortcomings and furthermore predicts the adequacy of the countermeasures that have been taken.
Infiltration Testing:
An infiltration test additionally called a pen test, is a recreated test that copies an attack by a programmer on the framework that is being tried.
This test involves gathering data about the framework and recognizing passage focuses on the application and endeavoring a break-in to decide the security shortcoming of the application.
This test resembles a ‘white hat attack’. The testing focuses on testing where the IT group and the security analyzers cooperate, outer testing that tests the remotely noticeable passage focuses, for example, servers, gadgets, space names and so on.
Inside testing, that is led behind a firewall by an approved client, checks how the application acts in case of a genuine attack.
Security Risk Assessment:
This testing includes the appraisal of the danger of the security framework by exploring and breaking down potential dangers.

These dangers are then ordered into high, medium and low classifications dependent on their seriousness level.
Characterizing the correct alleviation systems dependent on the security stance of the application at that point pursues.
Security reviews to check for administration passageways, between the system, and intra-arrange access, and information assurance is directed at this level.
Moral Hacking:
Moral hacking utilizes an ordered authority to enter the framework imitating the way of genuine programmers.
The application is attacked from inside to uncover security defects and vulnerabilities and to recognize potential dangers that pernicious programmers may exploit.
Security Scanning:
To upgrade the extent of security testing, analyzers should direct security outputs to assess arrange shortcoming.
Each sweep sends malignant solicitations to the framework and analyzers must check for conduct that could show a security weakness.
SQL Injection, XPath Injection, XML Bomb, Malicious Attachment, Invalid Types, Malformed XML, Cross Site Scripting and so forth are a portion of the outputs that should be rushed to check for vulnerabilities which are then learned finally, broke down and afterward settled.
Access Control Testing:
Access Control testing guarantees that the application under testing must be gotten to by the approved and authentic clients.
The goal of this test is to survey the separating strategy of the product parts and guarantee that the application execution adjusts to the security arrangements and shields the framework from unapproved clients.
Why is Information Security Testing Important?
A complete security testing structure manages approval over all layers of an application.

Beginning with examination and assessment of the security of the application, it moves additionally covering the system, database and application presentation layers.
While application and mobile testing serve to assess security at these levels, cloud penetration testing uncovers the security chunks, when the application is facilitated in the cloud.
These testing ideas make utilization of a mix of automated scanner instruments that assess lines of code for security irregularities and infiltration testing that reenacts attacks by unintended access channels.
Defenselessness appraisal shapes a critical part of security testing. Through this, the organization can assess their application code for vulnerabilities and take therapeutic measures for the equivalent.
As of late, a significant number of the product improvement enterprises have been making utilization of secure software development lifecycle procedures to guarantee recognizable proof and correction of vulnerable areas at an early stage in the application improvement process.
How does Security Testing increase the value of Organizations?
In the present interconnected world with buyers depending even more on online channels to make exchanges, any security threats, however major or minor it might be, prompts misfortune in client certainty and at last income.
Further, the security threats have additionally developed exponentially, both in quality and in addition to affecting potential prospects.
In such a situation, information security testing plays the main role that enables an association to recognize where they are defenseless and take the restorative measures to repair the holes in security.
An ever increasing number of enterprises are completing the security reviews and testing measures with the end goal to guarantee that their central goal i.e. basic applications are protected from any breaks or unintended entrance.
The broader an organizations security trying methodologies are, the better are its odds of prevailing in a progressively menacing innovation terrain.
Information safety efforts empower an organization to dodge the traps emerging from accidental leakage of delicate information.
Ordinarily, such spillages cost them beyond a reasonable doubt, by virtue of legal difficulties emerging because of affectability of data.
Information safety efforts diminish the consistency cost by improving information review components and automating them.
They additionally empower the organization to guarantee respectability of information by avoiding unapproved use and alterations.

In the present, very much associated world, appropriation of information security procedures and systems guarantee that the association is all adjusted to the legitimate and consistence norms across nations.

The Security Challenge Posed by the Internet of Things: How to Rectify Them

Posted on November 13, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Nowadays, more and more devices are driven through IoT and this rise of IoT-connected devices has led to the rise of more concerns and challenges.
But this issue does not mean that it is the end of the road for IoT.
With the support of the right security framework, IoT devices will be able to eliminate the risk of any potential threats associated with the Internet of Things.

Below are some major security challenges and how you can rectify them.
Test for Vulnerabilities and Incidents
Despite having a good security level for IoT system, there are certain vulnerabilities and breaches that are unavoidable.
How can you discover if your IoT system has been compromised or not?
As there are huge numbers of devices, apps, services, and protocols contributing to IoT system, it can become very difficult to identify when security has been breached.
You can avail the help of a well-established security testing company so that dedicated resources can be spent on checking and analyzing the systems.
Authorize and Authenticate Devices
IoT systems come with authorization and authentication which can pose critical security issues.
IoT devices that need access to gateways and upstream services should establish their identity first.
Furthermore, there are various other IoT devices that fall under the security breach when it comes to authentication and authorization.
For instance, using an unchanged password or using a weak base password for authentication.
Therefore, to provide better security IoT devices must need to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and enforce users to create and use strong password base or certificates.
Also, the IoT platform can provide device authorization to have a limited access to services throughout the system that can eliminate the risk of unauthorized access.
Secure Constraint Devices
Most of the constraint devices usually operate on lower power.
These devices have limited access to memory or processing ability that often leads to lower performance.
Security threats often rely on a powerful system that is capable of performing complex encryption.
So, these constrained devices pose a potential security threat in transmitting data.
Often these devices are more likely to get a power analysis attack that could lead to reverse engineer of algorithms which are used in IoT constrained devices.
To overcome this threat IoT device should need to deploy multilayer security by using firewalls or segregating devices onto separate networks.
Manage Device Updates
Updating the firmware system including various security patches in IoT devices could lead to major security challenges.

For instance, while updating the firmware you need to keep track of all the devices and updates across different platforms including network through which multiple devices communicate together using networking protocols.
Furthermore, there are lots of devices that do not support online updates, so these devices need to be updated manually by pulling them out from the production unit.
So, you need to keep a track of the updates and versions that are deployed across all the IoT devices failing which can cause retirement in any security patches.
More Secured Communication
Security challenges are often faced by IoT devices when they are communicating through a network.
Once, these devices are fully secured the next challenge which has to be overcome is secured communication across the network.
Communication of IoT devices between different services and cloud applications is often associated with security risks that may compromise the security system of the IoT device.
Many devices do not use encryption before sending the message over the network that causes a security challenge.
To overcome this challenge, the best practice is to use transport encryption or to adopt TLS that offers secure communications across the network.
Using this standard will enable you to enhance private communication, security and it will also ensure the data transmitted should remain confidential.
Ensure Data Privacy and Integrity
While data is transmitted across the network, it is important to ensure the wherever the data ends must be processed securely and stored.

Also Read: How To Do Security Testing: Best Practices

If data is inappropriately accessed, it can compromise the integrity of data and may face security issues in the future.
Thus, best practice to eliminate this issue is to implement data privacy that will anonymize the valuable data and redact it before it is stored.
Data which is not required should be securely disposed of.
Also, there are various other technologies that ensure data integrity by offering a scalable and resilient approach.
Blockchain which is a decentralized platform will help you to ensure the integrity of IoT data.
Secure Web, Mobile, and Cloud Application
IoT devices also use various services including cloud applications, web or mobile to access and process data.
Thus, it becomes essential to provide a more secure approach to IoT security.
Before creating IoT application you need to ensure to apply more secured engineering practices to eliminate any security risks.
Similar to devices that use secured authentication to gain access to services, applications should also adopt 2FA (which is a multilayered security) and use a more secure password for authenticating services.
Ensure High Availability
As more and more people have relied on IoT and processing their day-to-day work, it becomes essential for developers to consider the high availability of IoT data.
People, devices, and application use IoT data to access and access to services which is managed by IoT systems.
The failure in accessing this data resulting from device failure or connectivity failure can lead to another critical security challenge like denial of service attacks.
The impact of unavailability of data can cause a huge loss in revenue, or damage to the system, or even loss of life.

For instance, Traffic control, pacemakers or insulin pumps are all associated with IoT platform and to ensure high availability, devices should be secured against any vulnerable attack.
These devices must include redundancy, flexibility and fault tolerance to overcome this issue.

API Security Testing : Rules And Checklist

Posted on September 28, 2018February 1, 2024 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

One of the most valuable assets of an organization is the data. It is important for an organization to identify the threats to secure data from any kind of risk.
That’s why API security testing is very important. An Application Programming Interface provides the easiest access point to hackers.
To make your data safe from hackers, you should use API security testing and ensure that the API is as safe as possible. If there is an error in API, it will affect all the applications that depend upon API.

An API is a user interface intended for different users.
It is made for a machine running software so that two machines can communicate with each other in the same way that you are kind of communicating with your devices when you are browsing the internet or using certain applications.
Rules For Api Security Testing
Unfortunately, a lot of APIs are not tested to meet the security criteria, that means the API you are using may not be secure.
So, you have to ensure that your applications are functioning as expected with less risk potential for your data. You must test and ensure that your API is safe.
Although, API testing is simple its implementation is hard. Here are some rules of API testing:

An API should provide expected output for a given input
The inputs should appear within a particular range and values crossing the range must be rejected
Any empty or null input must be rejected when it is unacceptable
Incorrectly sized input must be rejected

Methods Of API Security Testing
Fuzz Testing
It is one of the simple and common ways to test the delicacies in a web service.
It is basically a black box software testing technique which includes finding bugs using malformed data injection.
Fuzz testing does not require advanced tools or programs. Fuzz testing can be performed on any application whether it is an API or not.
You can simply use the command lines like curl and simply send some unexpected value to API and check if it breaks. For example:
Fuzz Testing Numbers: If your API expects numbers in the input, try to send values such as negative numbers, 0, and large digit numbers.
A badly coded application will depend on a certain format, so this is a good way to find bugs in your application.
Fuzz Testing Strings: the best way of fuzz testing strings is to send SQL queries in a criterion where the API is expected some innocuous value.
Undoubtedly, an API will not run any SQL sent is a request
Command Injection
An injection flaw occurs with respect to web services and API when the web application pass information from HTTP request through other commands such as database command, system call, or request to an external service.
For example, you send a request to an API by entering a command ?command=rm -rf / within one of the query parameter.

If the API does not validate the data within that parameter properly, then it could run that command by destroying the contents of the server.
Here we will discuss the ways to test API vulnerabilities.
Operating System Commands in API Requests: You can start with determining the operating system on which the API runs. Generally, it runs on Linux and Windows.
Now, try to send commands within API request that would run on that operating system.
Consider the following example in which the API request deletes a file by name.

$fn = $_GET[‘filename’];
system(“rm $file”)

If the user’s request sends a vicious command in the filename parameter, then it will be executed like:

https://example.com/delete?name=file.txt;rm%20/

SQL in API parameters: As similar to operating system command injection, SQL injection is a type of instability that happens when invalidating data from an API request is used in database command. For example

$name = $_GET[‘username’];
runDbTransaction(“UPDATE user SET username=$name WHERE id = …”)

An attacker or hacker can easily run database command by making an API request if the input data is not validated properly.
(Un) Authorized Endpoints And Methods
It is very important that an API should authorize every single request before processing it because when the API reveals any sensitive data and allow the users to make damaging actions.
Test For Authentication On All EndPoints: This is one of the ways to test your API security is to set up automated tests in the scenarios such as test authorized endpoints without authorization, test authorized endpoints without authorization and test user privileges.
Test Unhandled HTTP Methods: API that uses HTTP have various methods that are used to retrieve, save and delete data.
The ways to set up a security test for these cases are using HEAD to bypass authentication and test arbitrary HTTP methods.
Parameter Tampering
It takes the advantage of backend sanitizing errors and then manipulates parameters sent in API requests.
According to this, the forms that use type=”hidden” input should always be tested in order to make sure that backend server correctly validates them.

Conceptually, when the user opens his web browser and changes the input valued from 100.00 to 1.00 and submit the form, then the service will be vulnerable to parameter tampering.
API Security Testing Tools
SoapUI
It is a functional testing tool specifically designed for API testing.
It allows the users to test t is a functional testing tool specifically designed for API testing.
It allows the users to test SOAP APIs, REST and web services effortlessly.
Features:

It runs the test quickly and easily with point & clicks and drag & drop
The load tests and security scan used in SoapUI can be reused for functional testing

Katalon Studio
It is a free security testing tool for API, web and mobile applications.

Also Read : How To Do Security Testing: Best Practices

It supports both REST and SOAP request with various commands and functionality.
It has the capability of combining UI and API for multiple environments.
Features:

It supports the data-driven approach
IT support CI/CD integration
It supports both SOAP and REST

Postman
It is a security testing tool used to test web services and API.
It was designed to send HTTP requests in a simple and quick way.
Now it has extends its solutions with the native version for both Mac and Windows.
Features:

It can be run on Linux, Windows, Mac and chrome apps
It is easy to use REST client
Rich interface
Used for automated and exploratory testing
It doesn’t require learning a new language
It also has run, test, document and monitoring features

Tricentis Tosca
It is a continuous security testing platform with several benefits and features
Features:

It supports an array of protocols such as SOAP, IBM MQ, Rabbit MQ, JMS etc.
API tests can be used across packaged apps, cross-browser, mobile etc.
It reduces the time of regression testing

Apigee
It is a cross-cloud API security testing tool which allows the users to test and measure the performance of API.
Features

Powered by Javascript.
It allows design, monitor, scale and deploys API.
Identify performance issues.
Create API proxies.

How To Do Security Testing: Best Practices

Posted on September 25, 2018February 1, 2024 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

The industry of software has a huge reputation and presence in almost every sector.
Most businesses utilize IT solutions and web-based systems to manage and maintain their business. The banking, payments, stock, purchasing and selling, and many other activities are conducted digitally these days.

The rise of digital business has made security testing extremely important. This article will show you the major steps to perform security testing.
1. Test The Accessibility
Access security should be your first priority to ensure the safety of your business and your customers.
Accessibility includes authentication and authorization. You decide who will get the accessibility and how much accessibility is allowed to an authenticated person.
This helps in ensuring that your data stays safe from internal and external breaches.
To conduct the accessibility test, you are required to test the roles and responsibilities of people in your company.
Hire a tester who is qualified for the job. He or she will generate multiple user accounts, including different roles.
security testing those generated accounts will help in ensuring the security level in terms of accessibility.
The same test can also include password quality, default login capacities, captcha test, and other password and login related tests.
2. Test The Protection Level of Data
The security of your data depends on:

Data visibility and usability
Data storage

While data visibility is about how much data is visible to users, the data storage involves the security of your database.
Proper security testing measures are required to ensure the effectiveness of data storage. However, you have to test first to check the vulnerabilities.
A professional tester can test the database for all kinds of critical data such as user account, passwords, billing and others.
It is important that the database stores all the important data. The transmission of data should be encrypted as well. The qualified tester also checks the ease of decryption of the encrypted data.
3. Test For Malicious Script
Hackers utilize XSS and SQL injection to hack a website. A malicious script is injected into the system of a site, which allows the hacker to control or manipulate the hacked website.

A tester can ensure the safety of your site against these practices.
The tester can check the maximum lengths allowed for the input fields. This restriction doesn’t allow a hacker to include these malicious scripts.
4. Test The Access Points
In today’s market, collaboration is the way of doing business. Many businesses collaborate on a digital level by providing services in a collaborative way.

Also Read : How to Test a Bank ERP System

For instance, a stock trading app has to provide consistent access to the latest data to the users and new visitors as well. But this open access also presents the risk of unwanted breach.
To immune from such attacks, a tester can check the entry points of the app.
The professional tester evaluates and ensures that all the access requests come from reliable IPs or application.
If not, the app system should have the capacity to reject those requests.
5. Test The Session Management
Session on the web includes the response transactions between your web server and the browser utilized by a user.
Testing the session management involves multiple actions such as expiry time of the session after a certain idle period, maximum lifetime of termination, session end time after a user logs out and others.
6. Test The Error Handling
Testing the error codes is important too. This includes the errors of 408, 400, 404, and others.
The tester can perform directed actions to reach such pages and ensure that the presented page doesn’t contain any critical data or information.
This helps in ensuring that all the data presented on error pages are safe and can’t help the hackers.
This test also includes the checkup of the stack traces, which can help the potential hackers to breach.
7. Test For Other Functionalities
Other functionalities that require testing are the file uploads and payments. These functions require thorough testing.

Any malicious file should be restricted. Also, the tester should check the vulnerabilities associated with the payments such as buffer overflows, insecure storage, password guessing, and other issues.
Apart from the mentioned tests, a professional tester can recommend others, according to the business model you have.
Conducting the tests in the mentioned way will help you ensure a comprehensive security of your digital presence.

Serious Security Issues in Robotics : There is a Solution!

Posted on September 17, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

We often hear about the cyber threats that hackers posed and most of them were cyber attacks and security breaches.
But now, the main concern of threat which people are mainly discussing is how complex the security system will become with global promotion of robotics.

Robotics has been introduced to computers as well as computer-related machines by early adopters without taking security issues and privacy into consideration.
The threats that robots poses are much higher than the threats compared to security breaches of the computer.
The attack on the computer may result in the data loss or identity theft, but what will happen if the robots were to hack?
Adoption of Robots in Market
Already, many industries have started practices to use automated robots for their operations and tasks which were once done by a human.
These robots generally involve open networks and remote access which lets the user use these machines from distant or from a remote location.
Many robotics companies use authentication, basic security level, and authorization while developing robotic software.
For instance, a teleoperated surgical robot which is a machine can be used by a doctor to perform a procedure on a patient from the other side of the world.
In the future, these robots could provide urgent care to people in disaster zones, on the battlefield, even up in space or radioactive zones where people can’t reach.
If you’re sending a robot to these areas but still want the human in control, there is a link between robot and human that let them interact with each other.
It can be used to control movements and operation of robots from remote locations via a network.
This may arise the potential that it can be compromised by the hackers and used for the disastrous purpose.
The long distance between the human operator and the robot means the communications between the two could be vulnerable to attack.
Cyber Security Problems in Robots
Cyber security problems in robots arise due to some of the following reasons listed below:

Due to insecure communication between user and robot becomes the main cause for a cyber attack. Hackers can easily hack into insecure communication link in no time.
Another reason that can let hackers into the robot’s system is their authentication issues. Failure in guarding against unauthorized access can easily let hackers to use features of robots from remote locations without using any valid username and password.
If vendors do not have any proper encryption, it can expose sensitive data to the potential hackers.
Most of the features of robots are programmable and accessible. If the default configuration of the robot is weak, hackers can easily get access to these programmable features and change them.

Cyber Attacks On Robots
Thousands of robots are now showing up in professional as well as personal organizations. As many of them are self-propelled it is important to make them well protected that is not easy to hack.
If they are not secured, instead of helping people it can become a dangerous tool capable of doing unthinkable damages and causing havoc. Already, we have seen numerous consequences of cyber security problems associated with iOT (internet of things) that affects the internet, companies, and consumers.
Compromised cyber security in robots could result in massive impact. Moreover, computers like robots having legs, arms or wheels can pose serious threats which we have never confronted before.
As the communication between robot and human enhances, more severe attacks appear that eventually become a larger threat.
Humans are now researching over new peripheral devices and mechanical extremities that robot can operate, any mistakes in security could even lead up to kill.
We have already witnessed serious incidents associated with robots. In 2015, an incident took place at a car part manufacturer where a robot killed a woman worker at Ajin USA plant. It was said that the robot was restarted unexpectedly and loaded a trailer attachment assembly part onto the women’s head that crushed her skull. Similar incidents involving robots took place at other places as well. Here are the few examples:

At Stanford Shopping Center in Silicon Valley, a security robot runs over a toddler.
In Manesar India, a factory worker died after his ribs and the abdominal region was tightly gripped by the robot.
In 2007, 9 soldiers were killed by a robot cannon that was malfunctioned during the shooting exercise.
A study in the US has shown that robotic surgery is associated with 144 deaths.

These cases may be accidents, but we have a clear illustration of the consequences due to malfunction of robots. Hence, similar incidents can be caused by a robot that can be remotely controlled by the hackers.
How To Prevent Robot Hacking?
Robots use networks to communicate with human and then operate. It becomes easier for hackers to hack into the system of these networks and induce threats.
Currently, there are numerous popular home, business, and industrial robots available that can be accessed by the hackers.
Since the potential threat to the robot is much higher, a team of experts around the globe is finding ways to hack these vulnerable robots in order to figure out what security features need to be included in teleoperated robots, they find different ways to hack and then overcome it by introducing new features of security to these robots. Building a secured robot is a complex task and is not easy to achieve, thus below are some recommendations that can exponentially improve the security of a robot.

Security From The Start: The vendors of robots should implement SSDLC (Secure Software Development Life Cycle) process from the starting point of building a robot.

Encryption: Communication link and software updates in the robot must be properly encrypted by the vendor. If this link is not properly encrypted, it can become the major cause of the cyber
Factory Restore: Methods of restoring a robot to its factory default state must be provided by the vendor.
Authentication and Authorization: Vendors should ensure that the authorization and authentication to robot services and functionality are only accessible to specific users.
Secure by Default: The vendors need to ensure that the robot’s default configuration is properly secured so that if the robot were to be compromised, its configuration does not get changed by the hacker.
Supply Chain should be Secured: The technology providers should implement the best practices for Cybersecurity. Vendors must ensure whether the proper Cybersecurity practices are being done on the robot.
Proper Education: There should be a proper education for the cyber security that should be provided by the vendor not only to developers or engineer but to all the executives who all are involved in the product decisions. Thus it should be mandatory to train them with proper cyber security

Security Audits/QA Analysis: Before letting go the robot into production, the vendor should properly complete assessment to check safety and security aspects and also the performance of the robot.

The robotic industries are now making their way to disrupt other industries with their innovative technology in robots.

As many of the people are now becoming dependent on the robots, it has become mandatory for these industries to quickly enhance its security to avoid any consequences or cyber attacks. It is time for robotic industries to take immediate action for securing their technologies from any vulnerable attacks.

Also Read : Major Cyber Attacks on India(2018)

Mobile App Security Testing Checklist Every Developer Must Have

Posted on June 12, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Mobile apps have become the ultimate solution for every organization to conduct their businesses. Thus, the usage of mobile apps has been soaring heights in these recent years. While many of the apps perform the function of storing and displaying data, other apps are involved in transmitting some of the sensitive data. However, with higher power come great responsibilities. Thus, it is essential that the organizations safeguard their apps alongside enjoying the tremendous benefits that these apps provide.

Mobile app security works in an entirely different way than any of the traditional applications. Time is of the essence when it comes to the latest mobile universe. Developers are always in a rush when putting together a mobile app that they sometimes forget to implement the most critical security measures that should be performed.

Thus we have come up with a quick checklist that you could refer to when building your mobile apps.

Penetration Tests

One of the best ways to avoid security risks is by running pen tests on your mobile applications against the various vulnerabilities. Penetration testing includes hacking into the mobile apps and imitating both general and mobile-specific attacks. It also provides replication of the attacker’s action to extract confidential information.

Every device tremendously varies with regards to the features and operating systems. Thus, there are unique challenges that appear when running penetration tests. However, this method shouldn’t be avoided because it is an absolute necessity when it comes to detecting loopholes in a system. If left unseen, these loopholes could grow to become potential threats that give access to the mobile’s data and features.

Source Code Encryption

Almost all the codes in a native mobile app are left on the client’s side. Mobile malware often targets vulnerabilities in the code and design to pose a threat to the mobile applications. Before the attack, the attackers can extract a public copy of the application. They reverse-engineer the application so that the codes could be plundered and malicious codes could be inserted. After which they are further posted on third-party app stores to trick the people who install them.

Furthermore, be extra careful when using codes from third-party libraries. Check the code thoroughly to make sure that it doesn’t have any security flaw. Third-party libraries can be a lifesaver when working on time-consuming projects; however, they can sometimes be extremely insecure for your apps.

Threats like these can take an organization’s reputation downhill. Developers should thus put extreme care when building an app and include tools to detect and close security vulnerabilities. Developers should even make their applications robust against any tampering and reverse-engineering too. Minimisation would make the code harder to interpret; however, they won’t necessarily ensure secrecy. Keeping the codes a secret is of utmost importance, and encryption provides the most efficient and highest security making the code unreadable.

Security of the Device

A mobile application can only remain secure if the phone is secure. Otherwise, when a mobile is ‘rooted’ or ‘jailbroken’, it points at the authentic software restrictions that have been compromised. By making an application ‘risk-aware’, enterprises are given the ability to put a limitation on particular functionalities, sensitive data, and enterprise resources. Moreover, enterprises are asked to not wholly depend on native app development platforms, as these platforms are not always resistant to mobile security threats.

Thus, it is wise to choose intelligent sources and quality application services to keep track of the apps and their associated risks.

Protecting Data in the Transit

Data is always transmitted from clients to servers, and it needs to be protected to keep away from privacy leaks. It might seem like an unimportant task to most of the developers, but it is never a better option to be ignorant when the security of an app is at stake. Using either an SSL or VPN tunnel is highly advisable when you are trying to safeguard the data that is being sent from a client to the server.

A risk-aware transaction should be embraced by the entire organization to restrict risk factors regarding the mobile applications.

File-Level and Database Encryption

The bandwidth and varying connection quality imply the importance of more client-side code and the vast amount of data stored on a device. Unlike desktop applications, mobile applications are required to stay on the device itself. Moreover, this very fact has a significant impact on the security. Most developers design the mobile app in a way that the data is stored in the local file system. However, by default, these can’t encrypt the data and thus leave a major loophole for potential vulnerabilities.

To overcome this, modules that can encrypt the data should be put to use. They can provide file-level encryption and can be very helpful when it comes to amplifying security.

High-Level Authentication

Security breaches usually happen due to the lack of high-level authentication. Authentication refers to passwords and other personal identifiers that are put to act as a hindrance to entry. Only the users with the right identifier can access the information, whereas the others are left out. However, when working as a developer, this mainly depends on the end users. Thus, encouraging the users to grow more sensitive towards authentication would be the best way to avoid security breaches.

Developers should design the apps in such a way that it only accepts strong alphanumerical passwords. Additionally, makes sure that the app makes the user change these passwords in every three or six months. In case of extremely sensitive apps, biometric authentication should be employed such as fingerprints and retina scan.

Now that you have the complete checklist of security measures that you should take when developing an app, you would prove to be a sinecure. However, it is advisable that every developer become extra careful, and put all the safety measures to use to make the application as strong as an ox.

Mobile Security: Factors To Look Out For While Testing an App

Posted on June 8, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Today, we use mobile phones practically for everything from shopping for clothes to performing business activities, so mobile security has prominence than ever.

There are so many apps available in the market that you are confused which is the right one for your needs and also the most secure. Before going to that, you must know about the three basic types of mobile applications:

Native Applications – mobile applications that run on a specific platform. For example, iOS apps like Health, Voice Memos, and Find iPhone that works on an iPhone.

Web Applications – these are websites that you can access using any smartphone.

Hybrid Applications – mobile apps that can be used on different operating systems. Some of the classic examples are Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Here are seven important activities that developers and businesses should perform to check the security of their mobile applications:

Hack Proof Code

It is common for mobile apps to be attacked with malware and data breaches. It means that developers need to be extra attentive while writing code, which is reliable and free from any backdoors. Robust code is the secret to error-free and hack-proof mobile application, which forms an integral part of its mobile security. One way to test the application’s security is by checking if it doesn’t store, use, or transmit a lot of data.

Security Features

A mobile app is made for functioning on different systems including Android, iOS, platforms, and devices. While making a hybrid application, the software developer should be careful about features, capabilities, and limitations of different operating systems. It will help the developer to optimize mobile security and make the mobile application hack proof.

User Permissions

Another way to secure your apps is by putting security measures at the application layer. It helps the app users to stay away from malicious applications by giving them the choice to select the mobile security setting level.

Third-party Libraries

Many application developers use third-party libraries, but there’s a lot of risk attached to them. They are vulnerable to malicious content, which means developers need to be extra careful from where they source the third-party library. Make sure you test the code before using it for your mobile application.

Also Read : Video Game Testing – Play Games and Earn Money

Unnecessary Security Risks

Features like social network connectivity are essential for proper functioning of a mobile app; therefore developers should pay particular attention to them while including it in the application. They should be managed in such a way that they don’t slow down the application.

Backend

A reliable and secure backend system is essential for developing an application. You must know that hackers get into an application mostly through its backend systems, so give it as much as importance you give to the frontend system. It is these little things that when you ignore makes your applications hacker-friendly.

Strict Testing

Security testing the application might be your least favorite part of the whole development process but it is the most critical one. To reduce the pile of work in the end, perform security testing after completion of each stage of the process, so that testing work is over soon after the development process is. Make sure you develop the mobile application according to national and international security regulations.

Steps involved in security testing of mobile applications:

1. Threat Modelling
In the first step of the process, you identify the threats to your mobile app.
2. Analysis of Vulnerability

In this step, you identify aspects of the mobile application that are vulnerable to be hacked, which are found by tests including Dynamic methods, forensic methods, and Runtime analysis.

3. Information about the Mobile Application
Make sure you gather as much information you can about the mobile app that you’ve developed.
Reasons why Mobile Application Security Testing is an essential part of the Development Process for Companies:
1. Reputation of the Business

No one is going to download apps from a business that is continuously hacked or was hacked in the past. Downtime due to these security breaches could lead to huge amount of loss to any business and thus damaging their reputation in the market. Companies can’t be stubborn and cut costs on application security because it might lead to intangible expenses.

2. Business Mergers

Companies merge all the time because they bring in more business. If you plan to combine your app development company with another, you need to have clear records. It isn’t easy to find vulnerabilities but companies should have a holistic approach to app security.

3. Customer Safety
Mobile application market is expected to grow year-on-year. Customers have a big appetite, so it goes without saying that you need to pay close attention to safety measures taken while developing an app. Application security is as important as quality user interfaces and it’s also a healthy way to attract potential customers.
4. Time is Money

What do you prefer more? Going back to the same application because it gets hacked again and again or develop an app so perfect that is the most hack-proof? With the demand for mobile apps being more than ever, developers are in a race against time to meet deadlines, which only makes it right to make the application that is perfect in all sense.

5. Everything Counts

Let’s say you use a simple application to enter data or calculate interest, which you didn’t test well enough. Hackers get in it and cause a security breach and you might end up losing all your data, some of which will be confidential and might end your business. Hackers will give you a run for money if they crack into many such applications.

The first step to avoiding unnecessary risks is realising the importance of mobile application security. A new way to reduce cybercrimes is by preventing security mistakes in the development stage, which helps in the company’s success and safety of app users.

15 Best Anti-Ransomware Tools for Online Security 2019

Posted on February 5, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Ransomware has emerged as one of the fastest growing threats in terms of privacy and security of the computer systems.

8 billion was lost last year owing to Ransomware attacks. It is expected that if ransomware attacks a company, an average of $133,000 will be lost in correcting everything. So what’s the possible escape from this situation? Only one answer! Anti-ransomware tools. To an extent, they can block ransomware attacks and save your company from a huge loss.

But there are a plethora of Anti Ransomware tools out there in the market. To avoid confusion we have made a list of leading 15 Anti-Ransomware tools for you to choose from

1. Trend Micro Lock Screen Ransomware Tool

This tool has specifically been designed to help a person get rid of lock screen ransomware, a type of malware that blocks the user’s access to the PC and forces him/her to pay a certain amount in order to get back their data.

The tool works effectively in two situations – firstly, when the PC’s normal mode is blocked but the safe mode is still accessible and secondly when the lock screen ransomware blocks both the normal and safe mode.

In the first situation, the users boot the PC into the same model to avoid the malware and install the software using a keyboard sequence.

A new screen, then, appears asking the user to scan, clean the system and finally reboot the same.

In the second situation, it is possible to load the removal tool onto a USB drive using a mal-free system and executing from there during a boot.

2. Avast Anti-Ransomware Tools

Avast offers 16 different types of ransomware tools. However, not all the decryptors work on all types of ransomware, the available ransomware tools by Avast are free as well as can check for all sort of viruses at the same time.

3. BitDefender Anti-Ransomware

BitDefender’s tool is planned to act as insurance against being tainted by CTB-Locker, Locky, Petya, and TeslaCrypt ransomware.

Although it is not very clear how the program functions, but once it is loaded, it ought to identify a disease as it initiates, halting it before any documents are scrambled.

The splash screen is perfect and fundamental in feel, highlighting a section that prevents executables from running in specific areas and a choice to divert on insurance from the boot.

The organization accentuates that the program isn’t expected as a substitution for antivirus, however, ought to be utilized as a part of conjunction with it.

4. Zemana Antimalware

Zemana antimalware is a lightweight security arrangement that brings incredible insurance against ransomware.

Considering the expansion in ransomware assaults, Zemana has invested a lot of time to offer the best solution to offer ransomware protection.

Along with this, this tool also distinguishes and erases spyware, adware and other diverse no-nonsense malware.

The product brings ongoing assurance and add-on features like program cleanup.

5. Malwarebytes 3

Designed specifically for malware-infected PCs, this is one of the finest examples of products that offer specific ransomware security.

Malwarebytes aims to make use of cutting-edge technology to shield your documents from ransomware.

Because of its hostility towards malware, spyware, and rootkit technology, this tool is capable enough to identify malware as well as evacuating them.

Along with this, the tool also shields the browser and other programs that associate with the web.

6. HitmanPro.Alert

Although not different, this tool is known as one of the most effective tools that work effectively against malware programming.

Capable of recognizing any conduct of ransomware in your framework, the tool either expels or reverses its effects.

The tool is packed in a CryptoGuard innovation that helps in easily eradicating any growing ransomware in the framework and reestablishing the files before their encryption.

7. Kaspersky Anti-ransomware Tool

Kaspersky Anti-ransomware tool is another extremely well known tool out there for its anti-ransomware properties.

The product offers security against various web dangers including ransomware, while likewise ensuring your protection and individual data, if there should be an occurrence of an assault.

Along with this, the product also advises the user about any inconsistent websites so that its ransomware does not spread to their framework.

8. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus

Webroot Secure Anywhere Anti-virus utilizes conduct based tracking to identify any suspicious activities and decrypted infected documents in case you compromise amid a ransomware assault.

While this tool is an anti-virus first, ransomware security and inherent firewall are its additional features.

The tool works by keeping a substantial database of known dangers and inquiries when checking programs.

9. McAfee Ransomware Interceptor

McAfee is a trusted security brand that also gives assurance to offer protection against any sort of ransomware attack.

Light in weight, simple to utilize and available for free, this tool is incredible at blocking ransomware progressively and furthermore adjusting to new strains of ransomware.

It can raise a couple of false location, which is somewhat irritating, however nothing to stress over, truly.

Better for it to be over-careful than miss a dangerous risk.

10. CyberSight RansomStopper

Available for free, this tool can detect and block all the real-world ransomware samples as well as does not allow the encryption of files.

Know More: Top 52 Software Testing Tools 2019

However, the tool is definitely vulnerable to get affected by ransomware as it allows file encryption only at the boot time.

The product is also similar to some other freely-available ransomware tools like Cybereason RansomFree, Trend Micro RansomBuster, and Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware.

11. Check Point Zone Alarm Anti Ransomware

Check Point ZoneAlarm Anti Ransomware has the ability to analyse suspicious activities in your PC. It can easily detect ransomware attack and restores any encrypted files. Features of Check Point ZoneAlarm Anti Ransomware include,

Can restore any encrypted file
Even though it’s a stand-alone software it can work well with any antivirus package
Provides the highest level protected by constantly monitoring the OS

12. Acronis Ransomware Protection

Acronis Ransomware Protection is an advanced ransomware protection suit that can protect all of the data in a system such as documents, programs, media files, etc. The software has the ability to observe patterns in which files are changed in a system. The suspicious pattern will be traced out so that attacks can detect effectively.

Acronis Ransomware Protection makes use of this pattern to learn about attacks and irregularity and will not let this happen again. Another important feature is the defense systems of the software it will not let any action interrupt while file backup. The system also monitors mater boot record of Windows-based system.

13. WinPatrol War

WinPatrol War is a next-gen anti-ransomware tool that uses AI to defend ransomware attacks. The first line of defense of WinPatrol War includes blocking threats before they can do any damage to your computer system.

WinPatrol War also offers network protection if a bad program is trying to breach your network system.

The tool basically creates a safe zone in your system and when an unknown/bad program tries to breach your system, WinPatrol War will block it.

14. Neushield

Neushield uses mirror shielding technology (Neushield adds a barrier to all the files in a computer system. So when a program is trying to alter files, it affects the overlay rather than the original file)to block ransomware attacks. What makes Neushield stand apart from other tools is that it can recover the files no matter how badly it’s corrupted.

Some ransomware attacks boot files of the computer. Neushield has the provision to stop that too. Neushield also has the ability to block write access to files that are being altered.

15. The Kure

Your computer has a lot of wanted and unwanted files. The Kure has the ability to recognize the nature of the files and delete the unwanted files.

Kure also has the ability to wash out unwanted changes in the re-boot itself. In short, simple reboot itself is enough to erase unwanted files from your system if The Kure is installed.

Give These a Try:

The above-mentioned tools are really effective in protecting the computer systems from all sorts of ransomware attacks.

And, the best aspect of these anti-ransomware tools is that these anti-ransomware tools ensure maximum protection without leading to any sort of data loss.

Therefore, it is best to stay safe by giving some of these anti-ransomware tools a try and strengthening your online security.

Know More: Top 12 Penetration Testing Tools 2019

Top 17 Hacker Based Movies You Cant Miss [Infographic]

Posted on February 2, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Almost everyone like watching movies as a part of entertainment in this bustling lifestyle. But there are even some hacker based movies that get us inspired to learn new things. In this age of gadgets like smart phones, computers etc. all these electronic devices has turn out to be true companions for geeks and technology enthusiasts.
In the last few years, this has been taken over in many of the world movies (including Hollywood) where hacking has been portrayed as the main theme.

Most of the technologies shown in movies might evolve as real-world techniques in future and some are even based on real incidents.
Vulnerabilities and cyber security are so common these days as from national security to email accounts anything and everything can be hacked.
Because of all this, there is an ever-growing demand for ethical hackers to protect our systems.
Below we have listed the top 17 hacker based movies that are based on the theme of Hacking, Security and Technology, which you can’t miss to watch and also get more idea about the world of ‘hacking’. Take a look…