Web Security for 2020

Auto-fill enabled entry fields are convenient. They enable you to skip a repetitive activity that is a mental drain in your daily life. But there are significant risks associated with this time-saving feature. In brief, auto-fill fields are a prime target that data thieves and hackers can use to steal passwords and access accounts, sensitive information, trade secrets, and more.

When an attack via an auto-fill field hits an individual- it can be a major personal setback. But when such an attack strikes at the heart of your business- it can cripple trust among your partners and clients. Worse still- if an attacker drains the right account, you may never even have a chance to recoup the financial losses.

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How Hackers Breach Auto-Fill Fields and Steal Login Data

When hackers gain access to your sites, they can install an invisible capture widget right over the top of your password input fields. Once it’s in place, all they have to do is wait for you to enter your password, and this insidious piece of malware will record the password and deliver it to the attacker. Most web users use the same password for multiple entry forms. If you use the same user name and password for more than one entry field, that means digital attackers can have their way with your information. They will visit every site you use and leverage your logins to capture everything on the net that belongs to you.

It Doesn’t Take a Hacker to Mine an Entry Field

These entry field ciphers can be downloaded and used by anyone with the will to steal from and harm others. These digital devices can be found for a fee or for free on the dark web. But that’s not all. Ad networks have some of the most powerful entry field readers in existence. Major ad networks can steal personal information with impunity because they have massive resources to pour into these types of insidious software assets and legal defense resources. Large, unscrupulous entities can muster just about any defense to protect themselves from litigation, even if they are found out – which they rarely are. They have the benefit of credible deniability, low-level employees who can take a fall, and the ever-plausible excuse that an unknown hacker hijacked their network to disguise his identity.

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Cybersecurity Preventative Measures You Can Use to Protect Your User Names and Passwords

The good news is, you are not defenseless. You can deploy proven defensive measures. Once attackers realize you are defending yourself, most of them will follow the path of least resistance and select another target.

Defensive measures you can take include:

  • Multi-factor authentication for logins
  • Secure business accounts
  • Advanced browser security settings

In addition to these simple but effective measures – there are also several cultural hardening techniques you can use to protect your personal information and your organization’s mission-critical data. To learn more, and secure your privacy and data integrity over the long term, get in touch with StratGrow today. Our professional web security consultants are standing by.