Do you know what is web application firewall (WAF) is and how it works? If not, you’re not alone. Many people don’t know much about WAFs, but they are essential to online security. As our world becomes increasingly digitized, the need for online security for organizations is becoming more significant.
With cyber-attacks on the rise, businesses must protect their data and networks from perpetrators looking to harm. By investing in effective WAF, companies can feel confident that their confidential information is safe and secure.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what is web application firewall and why they are essential. We’ll also provide tips on choosing the right WAF for your business. So, if you’re curious about what is web application firewall, read on! You might just learn something new to protect your organization from threats.
An Introduction to What is Web Application Firewall
As more and more businesses move their operations online, the need for web application firewall (WAF) protection has increased. But what is a web application firewall? ? In this section, we’ll answer those questions and provide an introduction to the basics of WAFs. Stay safe online!
What is a Web Application Firewall?
A WAF, or Web Application Firewall, is a type of firewall that helps protect web applications from attacks. A WAF helps to filter traffic to and from a web application, helping to prevent unauthorized access, data theft, and other malicious activities.
WAFs can be installed on web servers and can help to protect web applications from attacks that target the server itself (such as cross-site scripting [XSS]), as well as attacks that target the user’s browser (such as clickjacking). They can also help to block malicious traffic before it ever reaches the web application.
WAFs are often used with other security measures, such as antivirus software and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS). By working together, these measures can help protect your web applications from various threats.
When is a Web Application Firewall Effective?
A Web Application Firewall is effective when it protects a web application from malicious traffic. A firewall can help protect a web application by stopping traffic from entering or leaving the protected area and monitoring traffic for signs of malicious activity. By stopping malicious traffic before it can damage the web application, a firewall can help to prevent data breaches and other attacks.
Jumpstart Security Protecting SMBs from Online Attacks
In the age of digital commerce, even the smallest businesses are at risk of being targeted by online attacks. Jumpstart Security is a risk management platform that protects SMBs from a wide range of cyber threats, including malware, phishing, and data breaches.
The platform uses a combination of machine learning and human expertise to identify and block threats before they can cause damage. Jumpstart Security is trusted by thousands of businesses worldwide, and its team is available 24/7 to support and assist. With Jumpstart Security, businesses can rest assured that their digital assets are safe from harm.
The Benefits of Web Application Firewall
Now that you’re familiar with what is web application firewall let’s shed some light on the benefits of incorporating it into your organization’s systems.
- Higher Level of Data Security
While traditional firewalls protect against network-based threats, the web application firewall design specifically defends against web-based attacks such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and session hijacking.
Web application firewalls play an essential role in data security by providing a higher level of data security than traditional firewalls. They protect against network-based threats, such as attacks that try to penetrate your network and access confidential information or systems. Still, they also protect against web-based attacks such as SQL injections.
A SQL injection is an attack where malicious code is inserted into a database query, or the parameters are passed to a stored procedure. This code can then execute any commands available in the database without the user knowing about it. This can lead to serious security breaches, not just on your website but on all of the other websites that rely on that same database.
You can safeguard yourself against these types of attacks by installing a web application firewall. Web application firewalls sit between your website and the internet and filter all requests before they enter your system. This way, malicious code won’t be able to get past them and wreak havoc on your website.
A web application firewall (WAF) is a powerful security tool that can dramatically reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents. By blocking malicious traffic before it reaches the web server, a WAF can help to ensure that sensitive information stays safe.
In addition, a WAF can also help to protect against cross-site scripting (XSS), login attacks, and other forms of malware. It can also block access to dangerous URLs, preventing hackers from accessing your company’s confidential data.
A WAF can dramatically reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents. By blocking malicious traffic before it reaches the web server, a WAF can help to ensure that sensitive data remains safe from attackers. Jumpstart Security conducts automated phishing simulations regularly to lower the risk of phishing attacks.
- Lower Impact of Attacks
A web application firewall can lower the impact of attacks by blocking unauthorized access to your web applications. In addition, a design can also help to improve website uptime by mitigating the impact of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.
DoS attacks are a common problem that websites face. They’re usually carried out using bots that send large amounts of traffic to a website to crash or overload it so that users cannot access it. A web application firewall can stop these bots from reaching your site and causing damage, which will, in turn, protect your site from being taken down by a DDoS attack.
Furthermore, a well-designed firewall can protect your data from being stolen or compromised by malicious actors. By monitoring traffic and identifying suspicious activity, your firewall can block malicious packages and code before they have a chance to do any harm.
At Jumpstart Security, we provide a cyber insurance feature that devises cyber liability policies for organizations and lowers the overall impact of online attacks.
- Fulfills the Compliance Requirements
Since a web application firewall (WAF) is a type of intrusion detection and prevention system, it’s no surprise that it can help to improve an organization’s compliance posture by protecting against common compliance risks.
One of the most common compliance risks is cross-site scripting (XSS). This happens when malicious hackers inject malicious JavaScript code into a web page so that it can be executed by unsuspecting users who visit that page. XSS attacks can steal user information or execute other malicious actions on the user’s behalf. By protecting against XSS, a WAF can help to protect your website from these types of attacks.
Additionally, WAFs can help protect your website from other attacks, such as SQL injection and denial of service (DoS) attacks. SQL injection is when hackers enter malicious SQL code into your database, allowing them to access sensitive information or carry out other illegal actions. DDoS attacks are when hackers send vast numbers of requests over the internet to overload a server and prevent it from providing legitimate traffic to users. By using a WAF, you can also protect your website from these types of attacks.
With Jumpstart Security, you can get cyber security certificates and assure your stakeholders that your organization is not vulnerable to external threats and complies with the set security standards.
With the ever-increasing importance of the web, a WAF is an essential tool for any organization looking to protect its online assets.
How Does Web Application Firewall Work
A web application firewall (WAF) is a type of security software that filters traffic bound for a web application. WAFs can be deployed either as hardware devices or as software programs.
Hardware-based WAFs
Hardware-based WAFs can be installed between the web server and the network. They inspect all traffic between the two, looking for signs of malicious activity. If they detect an attack, the WAF blocks the traffic and alerts the administrators.
Software-based WAFs
They are usually deployed as plugins for web servers such as Apache and Nginx. Software-based WAFs work similarly to hardware-based WAFs, inspecting traffic passing through the web server for signs of suspicious activity. However, because they are software-based, they can be more difficult to configure correctly.
WAFs are an essential tool for protecting web applications from attack. However, they are not perfect. In some cases, attackers have bypassed WAFs by crafting specially crafted requests that exploit vulnerabilities in the WAF itself. For this reason, keeping your WAF updated with the latest security patches is essential.
With Jumpstart Security, you get access to the best cyber security tools that are up-to-date with the latest security trends and can protect your organization by defending it against sophisticated attacks. We have an expert team of cyber responders who can help you respond to the attacks promptly and save your business from financial losses.
How to Choose the Right Web Application Firewall
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a security tool that filters, monitors, and blocks web traffic to and from a website. When shopping for a WAF, there are several features to look for:
- Protection Against Common Web Attacks
Any web application firewall (WAF) worth its salt should be able to detect and block common web-based attacks. This is essential to protect your website or application from being compromised. Some of the most common attacks include SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and session hijacking. A good WAF can detect these attacks and prevent them from being successful. While no WAF can be 100% effective, having the right one in place is essential for protecting your web-based assets.
At Jumpstart Security, our phishing tests help identify an organization’s vulnerabilities and external threats. We provide detailed reporting and tracking so businesses can stay ahead of external threats. With our solution in place, organizations can rest assured that their data is safe from attack.
- Flexible Deployment Options
The Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a critical tool for protecting web-based applications from attack. However, not all WAFs are created equal. When choosing a WAF, it is essential to select one that offers flexible deployment options to meet the needs of your specific environment. For example, it should be able to be deployed as a hardware appliance, software program, or cloud service. This will ensure that the WAF can be seamlessly integrated into your existing infrastructure and that it will be able to effectively protect your applications from attack.
Jumpstart Security provides easy-to-use and affordable tools, resources, and advisory services to small and medium organizations. We aim to make cyber security accessible to all.
- User-Friendly Interface
By filtering traffic and blocking malicious requests, a WAF can help to keep your site safe from attack. However, some WAFs are difficult to configure and manage, requiring a deep understanding of web security. Others have user-friendly interfaces that make it easy to set up and maintain. When selecting a WAF for your organization, selecting one with a user-friendly interface is essential. Otherwise, you may spend more time configuring the WAF than actually using it to protect your site.
Jumpstart Security provides an easy-to-use interface for organizations that schedules regular security check-ins with dedicated cybersecurity experts that can guide SMBs throughout the security management process.
- Affordable Pricing
When it comes to security, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. Each business has unique needs and therefore requires a tailor-made security plan. The Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a critical component of any security strategy, yet it is often priced out of reach for small and medium-sized businesses. This is why it is essential to find a WAF that is priced competitively so that it fits within your budget. With Jumpstart Security, you can choose the three pricing plans according to your budget and requirements.
- Jumpstart Free ($0/month)
- Jumpstart Lite ($49/month)
- Jumpstart Go ($149/month)
- Jumpstart Safe ($299/month)
What is a Web Application Firewall at Jumpstart Security?
If you’re looking for a comprehensive cyber security solution, look no further than Jumpstart Security. Our cyber security tools and features will protect your website from malicious actors and keep your data safe at affordable charges.
Features
Here are some of the main features offered by our platform.
- Action Center that generates industrial scores and recommendations
- Security Academy educates employees on the best cyber security practices.
- Company portals to enable staff to gain an overview of training and policy documents.
- Safe Supply sets benchmarks before partnering with Jumpstart
- Policy Center that creates cyber security policies and tracks staff response.
Sign up today and see the difference we can make for your business.