How can Custom Web Development Fix Your Security Concerns?

In the present era of digital advancements, where cyber threats are growing more sophisticated by the day, ensuring the security of your website is paramount.

Businesses connect with their customers online for better experiences, conduct sales online, and so on. The crucial aspect circumscribing this seamless interaction is “DATA”.

Data is continuously produced and stored in greater volumes, and as connectivity significantly emerges across the globe, the attack surface has become more exploitable, with gaps and vulnerabilities for attackers. And they are leveraging advantage.

Therefore, it is imperative for any business to take proactive steps to ensure that they have a solid stance against cybersecurity threats. Through frequent scanning and updating of web applications and portals, it is quite possible to make sure that the vulnerabilities are not exposed to hackers and cybercriminals.

The web security plan must include tools for coping with disaster situations like a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attack and should have an effective strategy for recovery. A business/organization must be aware of all the possible cyber attacks. So that better plans can be prepared to mitigate such risks.

 How do Security Vulnerabilities Arise?

This is an obvious question that most of us come up with after knowing about the security concerns on the web. In general, various aspects within the designed system can lead to security breaches. Some of the most commonly identified reasons for security vulnerabilities to become more evident are as follows:

1. Open-Source Software Components

The use of open-source components like libraries and plugins is prevalent in web development as this eliminates the need for building every component from scratch. However, the use of open-source components poses a serious threat to the security of web apps employing them. Additionally, these components pave the way for hackers to easily exploit the system and find a way to manipulate the data or alter the functioning of the web app or page. Therefore, using ready to use web development components can often lead to an increase in vulnerabilities that can jeopardize the complete system.

2. Type of Technology Used for Web Development

Not all programming languages and web development frameworks provide the same kind of secured infrastructure. For example, WordPress is often not chosen for websites as it does not provide the much-needed secure framework. So, it's important for any business to assess the security that they want for their web-based systems and data, and choose an ideal technology accordingly.

3. Short Development Time

It is important to dedicate the required time while developing a website or a web-based app to assure high security. By having a considerable amount of time, it's easier to ensure high-quality web development, and also testing can be done multiple times to find and resolve bugs, especially the ones that can be responsible for a security breach.

Generally, owing to production demands, deadlines, and shorter duration assigned to projects, developers assign less time to the development of a project. The main focus is always kept on delivering the project on-time. However, such deviance can be detrimental in the future. Statistics show that 43% of software engineers have admitted that they knew the vulnerabilities and yet had released the web app/ website, owing to delivery deadlines. 

An Ideal Solution for Minimizing the Security Concerns - Custom Web Development

In the modern digital era, most businesses have a digital aspect that includes a website or an app to connect and provide a better experience to their customers. As a result, the most valuable thing to such businesses is its data that is communicated over the web. Therefore, data security is of paramount importance.

Having security concerns on the website or web-based app not only affects business but also the users interacting with them. While there are many loopholes in the web development that leaves an unwanted way for security breaches, one of the best ways to minimize the chances of such breaches is the custom web development.

Important Security Problems:

Following are some of the important security problems that can be mitigated by businesses by opting for custom web development services:

1. Code Injection:

The code injection is one of the severe security issues that can have disastrous consequences. Usually, attackers first identify a vulnerability or a bug in the program and then inject a malicious code that changes the execution of the program. Such injections take place in vulnerable areas like the input field for users such as username. Such attacks result in stolen credentials, data manipulation, or even loss of control over the website server. 

Solution – There are two ways to prevent the issue of code injection through custom web development. The first one is to avoid writing a code that is vulnerable to security issues, or in other words, the code should be bug-free. The second way is to implement multiple input filters that restrict the attackers to exploit a flaw in the code. Businesses must keep their data separate from commands and queries.

Applying controls like SQL LIMIT can help reduce damage from a successful attack. The Web Application Firewall (WAF) can help update a database under threat while in real-time so that application inputs can be filtered. Such additions and software can be used when web pages are customized by the business to suit its security needs. The input fields of a standard website are highly prone to such vulnerabilities. Subsequently, server control can also be lost. Custom made website gives greater scalability.

2. Data Breach:

Usually, there are instances when the data communicated over the web gets stolen, tampered, or misused by someone. This instance of gaining unauthorized access to the data is referred to as the data breach. If we look from a business's perspective, the data breach can cost immensely. Many of the possible reasons for data breach include software misconfiguration, lost hardware or malware, etc. Data breach, in this day, is one of the most prominent security issues for businesses using websites.

Solution – Encrypting site traffic and transactions with SSL the most effective solution to restrict data breach and the misuse of any dropped data. SSL a.k.a. Secure Sockets Layer is a security protocol used while communicating data over the internet to secure sensitive information. The information that can be considered sensitive include payment info, account login details, personal information of a customer, etc.

When an SSL protocol certificate is encrypted to your custom website, the chances of data breaching becomes minimal, and thus, a website itself deemed as more trustworthy. Also, the ranking of your web page in Google SERPs goes up as Google give preference to websites that have SSL certificates. When this certificate is installed on the website, the URL changes from HTTP to HTTPS. A padlock also appears in the URL address. The SSL encryption allows businesses to build a factor of trust with the users visiting the website.

A customized website gives greater control of the server to the business as the website operations can be specifically controlled in as per the requirements. Thus, each group of users can be given separate and specific permissions. Subsequently, the server can be easily scanned for any glitches in the system. Most vulnerabilities can be resolved by devising a defense system that is suited to the business. Such systems have greater credibility. Customization of websites also calls for a study of the business and learning from the same. This includes, in its ambit, network scanning, so that any vulnerabilities can be identified and dealt with. 

3. Malware Infection:

This type of infection is related to malicious software that sneaks into a computer system and starts exploiting the information secretly. Generally, in the context of web development, the most common reason for a system to get infected with malware is Email Spam. Generally, a malicious code is in the form of a file or link attached to the email. As soon as the link or file is opened, the hostile code makes the user prone to a wide variety of security issues, which can be prevented with the insights provided by a DMARC report tool.

Solution – An email scanning and filtering system is put into place to identify the spam emails. Custom website development solutions offer a streamlined selection of interfaces that can help to detect and avoid email spam. Consequently, it restricts the malware to enter into and websites and corrupt their functioning.

4. Insecure Direct Object References:

This security issue arises when a web application or website has a way through which users can access the objects of the system. In other words, a user can use simple inputs to get access to the system's resources. Considering a website, the attackers and hackers can use Insecure Direct Object References to manipulate and gain access to a wide variety of data that may be of the users of the website or the system files.

Solution – a custom website has a protected URL, and user data is safeguarded based on what is decided by the business and the web development services providers. This process of customization is highly strategized and is also based on the users who will visit the site. 

5. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF):

The CSRF is a type of security attack that compels a user to perform certain tasks within the website. The attacker executing the CSRF tricks the user to execute unwanted actions like revealing personal information like bank details, passwords, etc. In certain cases, a CSRF attack can compromise with the security of the complete website. 

Solution – the site is built in such a manner that it includes a request for a user-specific site-generated secret. This secret would be supplied by the server when the actions are being performed. Web frameworks often include such CSRF prevention mechanisms. 

6. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS):

This is a type of security vulnerability caused due to input failure. Input is given by an attacker to the web application. When this input, in its unsanitized form, returned to the user, the user's browser simply executes it. When such an operation runs, it can be used to expose your cookies to malicious users. This can inform like a link that persuades the user to click, etc. 

Solution - Custom web page development can include measures like not returning HTML tags in the website framework to avoid Cross-Site Scripting. 

7. Security Misconfiguration:

Web servers that have not been configured properly are prone to security risks. Security misconfiguration can be viewed as a consequence of not implementing all the required security controls. The misconfiguration can occur due to many reasons including running outdated software, having unnecessary services running on the machine, not changing default keys and passwords, and revealing error handling the information to the hackers such as stack traces.

Solution - To counteract this issue, the custom web development includes a "build" and "execute" process, which can run the necessary tests to check if any important security controls aren't executed while launching the cyber security process.

8. Missing Function Level Access Control:

This security vulnerability happens when a function is called upon the server, and no proper authorization is performed before giving access. Attackers identify functionalities that are not supplied by the server, and they misuse them if the requisite authorization is missing.

Solution – The custom web development solutions can tackle this issue by identifying and implementing requisite authorization in the functions that need to be secured from threats and unapproved access.

9. Using Pre-Designed Components with Known Vulnerabilities:

The use of components that have vulnerabilities is highly dependent on how web development takes place. Using codes that are standardized and widely available is good for the sake of convenience, but the risk is high, from the web security point of view. Outsiders can often easily breach the security and gain access to the website that has utilized such vulnerable components. 

Solution – Custom web development services include documentation, test runs, and maintenance. The business should have updates on these developments. Also, customization can help to a great extent as a copy and paste code is not deployed. The code that has to be used must be carefully examined. The latest versions must be used to ensure the best security measures are being followed. They must, consequently, be updated regularly.

Custom website development services can help you with the security concerns. This is a service that is most often outsourced, intending to seek the best of expertise. It thus becomes imperative to select the best custom web development company in India.

Why work with the best agency?

• Credibility and trust
• Online presence
• Better relations with users 
• Promotion of products and services offered
• Greater ROI

How do I find the best Custom Web Development Company?

1. Keeping an eye on the agency's portfolio

This represents the quality of work they do, including the types of work in the past, types of clients, their skill set, etc. the business would need an agency that has worked with clients who had a similar requirement type. This shows that the agency has clarity and a better understanding of the scenario.

2. Reviews 

Reviews from clients in the past can help gather more information about the agency's work integrity and performance. They help get an idea about developers in question.

3. Client references

This includes getting in contact with the agency's previous clients and asking them about their experiences. Their satisfaction level can help determine whether a particular developer should be hired or not. 

4. Evaluating the reputation of the company

A company's digital presence can give an idea as to how good the reputation of the company is and what its work and delivery standards. You can go ahead and invest in a company that employs the best practices, both in technical and ethical aspects.

5. The cost and quality analysis 

The quality of a website should never be compromised for the sake of saving money because it might cost the business more in the long-run. A professional agency might charge high for their services, but then it has reliable resources like talent and techniques to make sure that the web development project gets completed in the best possible way.

Related Post: Cost to develop a custom website

Conclusion: 

Custom web development gives an all-round solution to the problem of the most prevalent security threats. It ensures that the website infrastructure is such that it allows for protection from threats, and is also equipped with the recovery tools. We also must acknowledge the need to have a greater inclination on securing the task, rather than only getting the task down before a set date.

The investment of time here is crucial. As a business, the best bet for this is to hire an outsourcing team of developers that offer genuine custom web development solutions to ensure things go smoothly, and most of all, in a manner that is secured.