Contrary to popular belief, most hackers are not computer geniuses. They cannot break into secure websites in a matter of minutes or shut down systems on a whim. In fact, most of the tricks they rely on are quite basic. In this article we are going to discuss cross-site scripting.

Cross-site scripting is one of the most reliable techniques for virtual thieves. Basically, the hacker will infect a computer network with malicious scripts as a way to gain access to a private server. Once inside, the thief can root around for confidential financial information, like customer credit card numbers.

Like most hacker tricks, XSS attacks are rather simplistic, yet effective. Fortunately, there are a number of steps that any business can and should take to protect their servers.

Before we discuss prevention, let us take a moment to review how XSS attacks actually work. It is quite simple. For an internet criminal to steal anything of value, he must first find his way into your network. This is often done by sending an email that contains a link to the intended target. If the recipient clicks on the link, the hacker may be able to inject client-side script into any web pages that the recipient views. This may give him the ability to monitor the target and to obtain passwords and codes.

How can you prevent such attacks? First, it is always a good idea to disable any unnecessary scripting. This will reduce the risk of an attack by depriving the hacker of essential tools. Second, never open a link to a site that you have not safely visited in the past. And if you do decide to visit a new webpage, always access it directly, rather than through a third-party site or an unknown link. Lastly, it is important to keep tabs on all recent XSS attacks and to avoid those websites at all costs.