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What is session hijacking and how to prevent it

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This article is about Session Hijacking and ways to prevent it. But before we continue, let me first tell you what a session is. The total amount of time you spend doing your online activities is called session. A session begins as soon as you sign in to a website or service and ends when you end your connection or turn off your computer system. All data about your internet activity is temporarily stored in the session.

What is session hijacking?

When a session is the time you are online, session hijacking means an attack on your internet session and the most common example that can be given here is that when you are using internet banking to check your accounts or do some either transactions, an attacker can hijack your internet session and hijack it. Session hijacking is typically done through web applications or browser sessions. The session hijacker can take full access to your session and can do everything you can do on this website.

Let’s learn about a few more session hijacking examples so you can avoid them.

How does session hijacking work?

Session hijacking can be done in three different types:

  • active theft,
  • passive capture and
  • Hybrid theft.

In active session hijacking, an attacker attacks your active internet connection, which means hijacking your internet session while you are logged in, and the other is passive session hijacking, where the attacker monitors your session and steals the information that is exchanged between you and the server. In hybrid takeover, the attackers monitor the network session and then attack as soon as they find a path.

Types of session hijacking attacks

  • Brute attack – In this type of Brute session hijacking, the attacker guesses your session ID and gains access. This usually happens when the website has easy-to-guess session keys.
  • Malicious links – Attackers send you malicious email links that install malware on your computer. This malware then passes your session cookie to attackers, allowing them to hijack your session.
  • Cross site scripting – An attacker exploits weaknesses in the security of a website or server and injects his own scripts into a web page. These custom scripts then force your browser to reveal the session key and the attackers hijack your session.
  • session side jacking – In this takeover, cybercriminals are trying to gain access to your network traffic. Unsecured Wi-Fi makes it easier for intruders to get in. They keep tracking your internet session and attack as soon as they get your session cookie through your network.
  • session fixing – This is where the attackers create and send you a new session ID with a login link via email. They trick you into starting a session using this link, and once you click and log in using this link, they can hijack your session.

read: What are the challenges, threats and challenges of cloud security

Session hijacking examples.

  1. You receive an email saying that you have won the lottery and are instructed to click on a link to claim your prize. The attackers include their session key in this link, and once you click on the link, you give them access to your session.
  2. When you log into your bank account or credit card to make a purchase or check your balance, attackers can attack your current session, kick you out of the session, and take over your session. They can then access your bank account.
  3. The zoom bombing was in the headlines during the Covid era with people holding their meetings and classes using the zoom app. This was also an example of session hijacking. Such hacks occur due to lack of security keys and weak passwords.

How can you prevent session hijacking?

Session hijacking is undoubtedly one of the most common cybercrime and quite scary, but we can certainly prevent it with some simple measures. These attacks can indeed lead to dire consequences for business organizations, including data theft, financial loss, and more.

Don’t click on malicious links

As we can see, most of the attacks happen through malicious links, the best way to prevent these attacks is to be vigilant and check if the questionable link is safe or not. Attackers use very catchy and tempting phrases, for example, click on this link to claim your prize or they may try to scare you by saying: is this you in this video, to deceive you, but you must not click on any links unless they are from a verified and legitimate sender.

Encryption helps

Organizations can add certain types of encryption to avoid session hijacking on their official websites and accounts. Certificates such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) protect your data on the Internet and also make your Internet connection secure enough for intruders to infiltrate.

Use HTTPS, not HTTP

HTTPS (Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is an improved and more secure version of HTTP. Especially sites that require login details. HTTPS ensures that the website is SSL and TLS certified for the duration of the session and provides enhanced security for data transfers. Also, popular web browsers like Google Chrome will mark all non-HTTPS websites as insecure and you will also get a warning message.

Keep the system up to date

Make sure your computer and operating system are updated regularly. Protect your computer from viruses with good antivirus software. Also, update and fix your web browsers regularly.

Exit carefully

Make sure you sign out of all active internet sessions after you’ve finished working there. While most banking websites automatically log out at a set time, you should also log out of merchant websites when not in use.

Be proactive

This is actually the best thing you can do to avoid session hijacking. Avoid using public Wi-Fi and public computers, especially to access banking websites or any website that requires your login credentials. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, create a VPN (virtual private network) so that no one interferes.

How is a session intercepted?

A session is considered hijacked when an attacker intrudes into your session and gains full control. Attackers in most cases impersonate you and steal all your important data stored on the web server.

read: Article and Internet security tips for Windows users.

Does a VPN prevent session hijacking?

Yes, the VPN established an internet connection through a private tunnel and hid your IP address. It also keeps your internet activity private, making it nearly impossible for intruders to intrude.



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