The world is dependent on digital platforms and digital sources today. Everybody is moving towards digital business and shifting their offline business to online to reach high. Everyone is aware of digital sources today. Apps are the rulers in today’s world. The software developers relied on open-source components—the open-source part because it is designed already for public use. Anyone can use it, can be modified, and fit by anyone. The example for the open-source components ae Linux operating system, WordPress, Firefox browser, etc., Today’s topic- Application Security Interview Questions with simple answers.
The developers feel various pressures while working on a project from scratch, so they use open source components to speed up their processes. But the problem is that these open source components are being vulnerable, and most of the applications developed using such open source components are being unsecured.
Because most web applications use third-party codes with more security vulnerabilities, the applications connected to API have allowed hackers to quickly enter and hack their data. These unsecured applications are the primary cause of security breaches. So, how can we secure the applications from those vulnerabilities?
The latest security tools only secure partially, and it may create backlogs. In such cases, some websites or organizations give application security for the web applications to make it easier for the developers. They can extend security checks for all the phases of the project and find all the vulnerabilities and reduce backlogs. These are all done by combining automated scanning technology, human intelligence, and artificial intelligence to produce fast and secure results to protect the applications from vulnerabilities and run a business at the speed they need.
Overall, application security is the practice of reducing vulnerabilities to the software by protecting against a range of cyber threats. Because loss in security results in a loss in branding, losing customer loyalty, loss in business, and losing data.
How can one set up Application security?
First, we have to implement a secure SDLC framework for our project, i.e., software development. Then, I should know about the open web application security project and enhance my skills in the updated threats. Then, notice the security requirements for the application from the beginning stage of the development and maintenance industry application security practices as much as quickly.
After that, one should implement secure application design and architecture. The next step is implementing best and safe coding practices, including input validation, authorization, and authentication. Finally, ensure well-rounded security of the application for the coding cycle to implant a culture of secure coding cryptography, session management, and error handling at the stage of the secure SDLC.
And still think that the vulnerabilities exist, rate them and publish comprehensive reports about associated risks and alleviations of the exposures. After everything completes, it’s essential to scan the entire application using tools like AppScan, Fortify, etc., to conduct various tests such as Static Application Security Testing, Dynamic Application Security Testing, Angle sign-on, and Encryption. Then the software code review process will be undertaken and ensures that the most emitted phase, Post-deployment, and maintenance is secure at all levels.
So, implementing Application security for web applications is essential as the functionality and design of the applications.
Top Interview Questions about Application Security
- Describe a program or script that you have done which solved which type of problem?
Here, all we want to know is that if anyone waves panic, we don’t need to conclude that he is not a programmer but afraid of programming. Anyone can be very good at programming, but they should know programming to solve the issues or confusion when required. So, just give them a simple program which you know.
- How do you implement a secure login field to a high-traffic website?
First, we should look for a basic understanding of issues of wanting a server to the front page of an HTTP site, when it needs to provide a login field via HTTPS site, and how they would recommend doing that. A vital point of the answer is avoidance of the MiTM threat posed by the HTTP sites. Blank stares here mean that they have never heard about this, and they have seen this problem. So, don’t panic and just tell the answer which you think.
- What are the Common defenses against XSS?
Input Validation and Output Validation with putting concentration on upcoming things.
- What is cross-site request forgery?
A hacker gets a victim’s browser to make requests, with login credentials included without their knowledge. The best example for this is an association of IMG tag points to a URL with an action.
- How to defend against CSRF?
Nonces(Number only used once) required by the server for each page request is acceptable, although it is not a foolproof method. And you should answer if the complete dissertation of the subject is required. You should answer based upon which position you’re hiring for.
- What is the difference between HTTP and HTML?
Both are entirely varied. HTML is one of the markup languages, and HTTP is the networking/application protocol. So you don’t need to be scared but think wisely and give an intelligent answer.
- How does HTTP handle state?
It is a stateless protocol that can handle the web application through cookies only, Finally, you hack to make up that HTTP does not do it by itself. Instead, it will take the web application state through client-side or server-side.
- What is Cross-site scripting?
You can be shocked that even this essential thing people don’t know. But the thing is that they check whether you know or not. For example, cross-site scripting or XSS is a client-side code injection problem. So, you can answer regarding an attacker getting a victim’s browser to run script content like Javascript within their browser.
- What are the types of XSS?
There are three types of XSS. They are stored XSS, reflected XSS, and DOM XSS. In stored XSS, the malicious scripts have not been store determine in the database. But in reflected XSS, all the malicious scripts have been stored in the database. Therefore, it can get initiated anytime under the request of the victim through comments or support. And DOM is called a document object model. In this, the malicious scripts are stored in the client-side code, and those scripts will act as a source script by flowing in the browser.
- What is the difference between stored and reflected XSS?
Stored XSS is the thing that is on a static page or pulled from a database. It will be displayed to the user directly. But reflected XSS is the thing that comes from the users or by attackers to get run in the victim’s browser when the results are being against their sites.
- What is the latest OWASP in 2021?
- The Security Misconfigurations
- The Sensitive Data Exposure
- The Broken Authentication
- The Injection
- The XML External Entities (XXE)
- The Broken Access Control
- The Insecure Deserialization
- The Insufficient Logging and Monitoring
- The Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities
- The Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- Which one provides security, Windows or Linux?
Windows and Linux are the OS, so both have their merits and demerits, but most people prefer Linux instead of Windows for more security concerns. Because Linux provides more security options and flexibility when compared to Windows. So, Linux is the best option for security purposes. - What is Vulnerability, and What is Security testing?
Vulnerability means an issue, risk, or any other misbehaviors caused in an application attacked by hackers or unauthorized users. Security testing is the process of testing software applications like web-based applications, mobile-based applications, and networking-based applications to find out possible vulnerabilities, protect their confidential data, and prevent risks and issues. - How to protect against multiple login attempts?
There are many ways to do this process. Here are two. They are creating an Account lockout policy while multiple logins occur from the client-side to access the account. Or they are implementing captcha-based verification to notice whether the accessing user is human or bot. These are the significant ways to defend against multiple login attempts. - What is a honeypot, and what is public-key cryptography?
Honeypot is one of the computer systems used for detecting and removing the vulnerabilities identified from the target. And it targets cybersecurity risks and issues. Public-key cryptography is one of the cryptography protocols with two sets of keys used for encrypting and decrypting. One is private, and another one is the public key. - What are the major applications of public-key cryptography?
There are two major applications- Digitally signing and Creating encryption. Digital signing means that will digitally sign the content or document to protect them. And encryption means that the content will encrypted with the public key. For example, digital certificates in which a private key will published to decrypt that. In such a way, the applications ,project phases,used to protect confidential documents. - What are the Intrusion Detection systems, and what are the types of them?
It is the question asked for intermediate-level candidates. So, it will be a little more depth from basic level questions. The answer to this question is, the Intrusion detection system, simply known as IDS, has two types. The first one is the Network Intrusion detection system, known merely as NIDS, which monitors and identifies the network traffic that arrives.
And the second one is a Host-based Intrusion Detection System, simply known as HIDS, which is one of the systems that control and monitor the operating system files. Also, there are two other subsets. They are signature-based detection and anomaly-based detection. Signature-based detection is a type of system detection that monitors and finds out issues by identifying the malicious activity sequences. Anomaly-based detection is another subset of Intrusion detection systems based on a machine learning approach. It determines the unknown matters by creating a new algorithmic trust model and detecting problems choose—finally, you by using this trust model. - Mention some things that can produce vulnerabilities?
It can be in many ways. But in most cases, it will be caused through the following methods. First, it may be because of sensitive data exposure. The vulnerability occurs when sensitive data or passwords are uncovered, exposed, or traced by unauthorized users, then the system or application is vulnerable. And it also happens when a mistake occurs while designing the application. Finally, if there is a loophole in the system, a vulnerability will occur.
It is also caused by humans sometimes because of leaking the data that is confidential or having passwords, and it will cause vulnerability due to exposure of such data to other people. - Mention some Intruders classes?
There are many types of intruders available. Here are three of them. First of all, Masquerader. In this type of intruder, an unauthorized user intends to control the authorized system and get full access to the authenticated users’ systems.
The next one is Misfeasor. Again, it is the authorized user, and it has complete control over the system resources, but he may use this to mislead the system for other operations.
Another one is Clandestine which is one of the types that means an individual target the control system by inserting the system security system. - What are the components that are used in SSL?
The difference between a site having SSL and a regular site is that its URL begins with HTTPS; it has the SSL certificate, which secures the connection. But, if a website starts with HTTP, it doesn’t have an SSL certificate, so the connection is not secure on that site. The components of SSL are as follows.
1.The handshake protocol
2. The SSL record protocol
3. Encryption algorithms
4. The Cipher Spec
