As one of the UK’s leading web-hosting companies, catalyst2 puts security at the top of the list when providing any technological solution. There are currently over 286 million types of malware on the internet, so a key part of our work is to identify new dangers and quickly develop ways of preventing them.

One of the most dangerous threats is the SQL injection, a form of attack used in some of the most high profile security breaches of the last decade and responsible for more than a fifth of all web vulnerabilities.

What is an SQL injection?

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It’s a standard programming language used to maintain, manage and process data and has been used in commercial software products since the early 1980s. An SQL injection is a method of attacking websites and databases by exploiting weaknesses in code where the hacker is able to write their own SQL code and that is not validated.

How does it work?

There are many different kinds of SQL injection, but they all work in the same basic way, by taking advantage of security weaknesses in a website’s software to insert new commands into the software’s SQL code. Using this method, hackers can get access to and disclose or manipulate confidential information or even destroy data.

How can you prevent an SQL injection?

The good news is that an SQL injection can be prevented, as the main vulnerabilities in SQL are well-known. The best way to prevent these attacks is to ensure that the code employed on your website or database uses validation. This limits what kind of data can be input by users, ensuring that it conforms to strict parameters, and so prevents the manipulation of the SQL.

If you are worried about the threat of SQL injections or other hostile or malicious programs, get in touch with us. Our award-winning service has been helping businesses, individuals and organisations for over 16 years, and with our expertise in web security, we can provide you with a web-hosting solution that will help keep your online technology safe and secure.