DATA TAMPERING
Data tampering is the act of deliberately modifying
(destroying, manipulating, or editing) data through unauthorized channels. Data exists in two states: in transit or at rest.
What is the meaning of data has been tampered?
An intentional
but unauthorized act resulting in the modification of a system, components of
systems, its intended behavior, or data.
What prevents data from being modified or tampered with?
One of the most
effective ways to protect data-at-rest and -in-transit is encryption.
Simply put, data encryption is the process of translating data from one form
into another that unauthorized users cannot decrypt.
What is tampering of code provide a specific example?
The goal of
reverse engineering is comprehending the code. Tampering is the process of
changing a mobile app (either the compiled app or the running process) or its
environment to affect its behavior. For example, an app might refuse to run on
your rooted test device, making it impossible to run some of your tests.
7 Deeply Upsetting Signs Your Data Has Been Tampered
With and How to Prevent It
A data breach can be very unnerving to
any online business owner. It’s easy to feel violated when unauthorized
individuals start poking around in your database. What’s worse is that many
people don’t realize there has been a data security breach until well after the
fact.
While it’s difficult to identify some
forms of access, there are signs you can watch for that may show you when
someone has accessed your files and there are things you can do to make your
web pages unhackable.
So, what are tell-tale signs your data
has been affected?
1. Database is Completely Wiped Out
Although this is one of the most obvious
signs of a data security breach, it needs to be mentioned. Many databases have
been completely wiped out from the simplest of exploits.
In many cases, these systems would have
been protected if the administrator simply updated the SQL database software.
For example, the SQL Slammer Worm that was distributed
in 2003 disabled a large number of databases within minutes.
This worm attacked outdated SQL
databases in rapid succession.
2. Unknown Processes Running
If you manage a webserver, you’ll see a
large number of processes running. Just like on a Windows-based machine, most
of these processes govern over the operating system and background software.
However, an unknown process could be
running in the background and siphoning off your data. If you don’t monitor
these on a regular basis, you’ll never know just how long these unknown
elements could have been running.
3. Your Site Has Been Blacklisted
There are several monitoring
organizations on the Internet that will blacklist servers that are corrupted.
An example of this is Spam Haus.
Since many ISPs will use this
organization to govern over email, your company could be put into a blacklist
thanks to an email data breach. This means you’ll no
longer be able to send emails until the infection has been cleaned.
4. New Users Appear
New users aren’t necessarily a bad
thing, unless they are people that cannot be verified. Some hacks insert users
within a database while giving them administrator control.
This means the individual can easily
come and go as he or she pleases without raising alarms in basic firewalls.
Deleting these users can slow the progression until the unknown application
creates a new user again.
5. File Edits
When you look at the properties of
certain files, there will be a “date modified” stamp. It’s when files that are
not normally accessed show a recent date is when you may have a problem.
Hacked applications could modify those
files in order to run coding to steal your data. Often times, these hacks will
go on in the background without anyone being the wiser.
6. Unexpected Log Messages
The activity log of your database can
help find problems as they occur. Whether it’s activity through FTP or HTTP, these logs register a great deal of
activity.
When you start seeing unknown or
unexpected problems in these logs, you should become concerned. What makes this
so disheartening is that someone could access your data and the only trace
you’ll see is in the log.
Unfortunately, not everyone browses the
log on a daily basis. If you have a large online company, this could be a
full-time job.
7. Longer Load Times
Depending on the size of the database,
information retrieval may be relatively quick. If the database has been
compromised, access times may suddenly rise. A lot of times, this is due to the
database experiencing a great deal of traffic.
It could also signify that there is data
corruption within the structure. However, you shouldn’t assume that slow data
retrieval is an absolute sign you’ve been hacked. A lot of factors can play
into longer load times.
It’s still a good idea to take a closer
look at the database to make sure it’s operating as normal.
How to Prevent These Breaches from
Happening
Although it’s extremely difficult to
completely lock down your data, there are measures you can put into place that
will deter the criminal element.
A large portion of those looking to
steal or corrupt information is looking for easy targets. These measures which
are all available with GreenGeeks can reduce the likelihood your information
being stolen by hackers or malicious coding.
ID Protect
Using ID Protect can
help you keep an eye on problems that arise from identity theft. If you
have data regarding yourself saved on any database, it could be at risk.
SSL Certificates
A Secure Sockets Layer is
one of the most cost efficient methods to keep data secure on a website. The
SSL uses encryption algorithms that connect visitors directly to your
information while eliminating the threat of hackers “snooping” for that data.
In other words, it creates a secure
connection between a visitor and the website while shielding the information
from being seen. It also contributes to better SEO if you want to please search
engines.
Cloudflare
Cloudflare is a
useful tool as it offers a variety of methods to prevent your site from a data
security breach. Any website that is in its network is equally protected from
various threats.
Procedural Changes
Some of the best forms of keeping your data protected are some of the easiest to
implement. While the above services offer incredible security benefits,
changing how your organization uses the Internet and databases can be an added
bonus.
The following are a few ideas that can
contribute to keeping your data protected with the use of the above tools:
Routine password changes for everyone
Updating all pieces of software
regularly
Routine scanning of website and database
for issues
Routinely clean up user lists
Verify validity of all plugins and
coding used on websites
Never Assume the Internet is “Safe”
Unless you pull the plug on the Internet
and store your data in an offline environment, there is no true way to be
absolutely 100% protected. However, implementing the above methods will greatly
reduce your risks.
You should never assume that your online
activities are going to be ignored by hackers and bots. Make your data more
difficult to access by the outside world and protect your assets.
