1. Weak access control
Access control is the element of data security that authorizes the individual to have access to the particular information or data. Access control includes the username and password of your website. Not only that but it has to do with the login information of your computer, server, hosting panel, and other credentials as well.
If any of your passwords are weak or has the same pattern as your other passwords, it opens the door for hackers to get control over your site and manipulate it. Once hackers get the pattern and combination of username and password, they hack your website. Moreover, we sometimes give access control to the users who don’t even require it which also causes hacking.
2. Shared hosting
Shared hosting means running multiple websites on one server. In shared hosting, all the websites use one similar operating system, processor, and storage. If the hacker buys the same shared hosting plan as yours, then he can easily hack your website as there is the same server.
Even if your neighboring website has got hacked, it will affect the performance of your website.
A software vulnerability is a glitch, flaw, or weakness in the software or in an OS (Operating System). Once the hacker detects that glitch, he can manipulate the system to get access to your data. So, to prevent your software or operating system, you first need to know what software vulnerabilities are there.
SQL Injection/Cross-site scripting
OS Command Injection
Buffer Overflow
Uncontrolled Format String
Integer Overflow
3. Third-party integration/services
Third-party integration means adding necessary external data to the website or application using different APIs (Application Program Interfaces). For example, some payment methods (PayPal, PhonePay), communication methods (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram), Google Map for navigation, etc. On the other hand, in first-party integration, developers create their own build APIs.
If the security of that third-party service is compromising then it will affect the security of your website or application. If there is any vulnerability in third-party API then it will give access to the hackers to perform illegitimate acts.
4. Missing security updates
Security updates in websites or applications come with feature enhancements, performance improvements, bug fixes, etc. Basically, these security updates are patches that patch the vulnerabilities of the system. So, if you keep on using old versions then there are great chances for the hackers to find holes (vulnerabilities) and manipulate the system for their benefit. On patching these security updates or keeping the system updated, your website or application will become more secure with enhanced protection and performance.
5. Insecure themes and plugins
A theme is an external effect like a website’s presentation and design. The theme is the appearance or looks of a website. Whereas, a plugin is an interior effect that adds or removes some functions to a site. For example, using the plugin Yoast SEO for website optimization.
The security of your website is as good as that of the themes and plugins. So, if the themes or plugins you use in your website or application have vulnerabilities then your website can get hacked easily.
Here you can find the List of popular WordPress plugins with the most vulnerabilities.
6. Social Engineering
Social engineering means exploiting human psychology to bypass sophisticated security infrastructure. These types of attacks trick authorized users into providing confidential information such as passwords. One common example of social engineering is phishing. During a phishing attempt, an attacker will send an email pretending to be a legitimate organization and request confidential information.
