| There has been a lot of interest around Web | | | | flaws that are discovered after the release. |
| application firewalls lately for two very different | | | | As a responsible Web site owner, you should take |
| reasons. One is the proliferation of malicious attacks | | | | proactive steps to secure your Web site. Protect |
| on Web sites. The second is that it is being | | | | yourself and your visitors from potential hacking |
| recommended as a "best practice" for securing Web | | | | attacks or malware infection. If you do not do this for |
| sites by global security organizations, the foremost of | | | | sales and profit, do it for online reputation and goodwill. |
| which is the Payment Card Industry that is headed by | | | | A good way to do this is through the use of a Web |
| the world's biggest credit card companies. | | | | application firewall. |
| There are a lot of reasons why security vulnerabilities | | | | What Is a Web Application Firewall? |
| arise. It could be that input validation was poor, or the | | | | Simply put, a Web application firewall is server |
| session is not secure, or perhaps system settings are | | | | application or appliance that monitors http/https data |
| not properly configured. It could also be the result of | | | | packets. It utilizes a set of criteria to promulgate |
| flaws in the Web server software or in the chosen | | | | security policies that you configure into it. In effect, it |
| operating system. | | | | can block out unusual application traffic, hacking |
| Most companies nowadays do not have the resource | | | | attacks and other known exploits. |
| to write secure code that they employ in Web | | | | You can configure it to allow all requests in and block |
| applications. This lack of resources could be | | | | only those that it deems malicious, or the other way |
| manpower or time. What is more, application scanners | | | | around blocking all traffic unless it is known to be good. |
| are not 100% foolproof, while hackers are getting more | | | | It can be used in several modes, including reverse |
| and more creative everyday. | | | | proxy, transparent proxy, layer two bridge, network |
| Even if you rely on third party providers for your Web | | | | monitor, or installed on Web servers. It can have |
| applications, this does not guarantee that your Web | | | | additional features like caching those pages that are |
| site would be secure. What is more, most providers do | | | | often requested, load balancing and SSL acceleration. |
| not even come out with a patch to correct security | | | | |