Website Security: How to Protect Yourself and Your Clients – A Discussion with Denys Malakhov

In the modern world, cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and data security has become a top priority for both large corporations and small businesses. As technologies continue to evolve and the number of cyberattacks grows, protecting information is not only a necessity but also a key element for business success. To discuss the most relevant threats in cybersecurity, how to manage risks, and what the future holds for this industry, we speak with information security expert Denys Malakhov.

Denys Malakhov is an entrepreneur, private investor in the high-tech industry, web developer, and the owner of Web Studio DM LLC since 2016. He currently serves as the CEO of the company in the United States. He won the Prime One Awards in the category “Development and support of websites for companies with a high level of security.” Due to his outstanding professional achievements and expertise, he was invited to be a jury member for the International Business Award “Cases&Faces.”

As the founder of Web Studio DM LLC, Denys led the company to successfully establish itself in the U.S. market. His firm offers comprehensive website development services, including ongoing support, with an emphasis on security and high-quality standards. Throughout his career, Denys has built a strong reputation for his professionalism, trustworthiness, and ability to deliver advanced solutions with excellent data protection.

Denys, which websites or types of websites are most vulnerable to cyber threats?  

Thank you for the interesting question. I would highlight several categories of websites that are most, let’s say, “cyber-dangerous.” First and foremost, it’s online stores (e-commerce sites). These sites handle a large amount of personal user data, including payment information, which makes them an attractive target for hackers trying to steal credit card details or personal data. The second most attacked category is the websites of financial institutions (primarily banks and cryptocurrency platforms). Such sites often become targets of cyberattacks due to the vast amounts of money that can be stolen. Additionally, data breaches on these sites can lead to catastrophic consequences for users.

The third group of websites most vulnerable to hacking are government and public sector websites. These resources often contain information that interests both criminals and state-sponsored hacker groups. Therefore, they may be targeted for cyber-espionage or attacks aimed at destabilizing the situation. A breach of a government or presidential website also has significant image-related consequences.

The second category of concern in terms of interest from cybercriminals includes, for example, medical websites, especially hospital and clinic portals. Medical institutions store personal patient data and medical histories, making them targets for extortion or data theft to be sold on the black market. Educational resources are also of interest to cybercriminals. Universities, schools, and other educational institutions often have outdated systems with unpatched software components. These sites may also contain confidential information about students and staff, making them attractive targets.

Additionally, I would consider high-traffic websites (primarily news, entertainment resources, social networks, and forums) to be unsafe. They can be targeted by DDoS attacks aimed at overwhelming servers and making the site unavailable. They may also be vulnerable to attacks designed to spread phishing links or malware.

Potentially dangerous sites also include those with unsecured data (old or poorly maintained websites). Sites that do not undergo regular updates or lack the latest security patches are more likely to fall victim to attacks such as SQL injections, XSS attacks, or exploits of known vulnerabilities.

Lastly, I must mention websites with open-source code or free services. Open-source platforms can be vulnerable if they are not updated or configured correctly. The use of plugins or themes that have not been sufficiently tested for security can lead to attacks.

To minimize risks, it’s important to regularly update software, use data encryption, implement multi-factor authentication, and adopt other security measures.

How does AI help website owners in the fight against cyber threats? 

AI can analyze traffic in real time and detect anomalies that may indicate cyberattacks, such as DDoS attacks, SQL injections, account hacking attempts, or the spread of malware.

AI can track user behavior on a website, analyzing their actions and identifying unusual or suspicious patterns. For example, if the system detects too many failed login attempts or abnormal behavior during registration, it can block such actions or send an alert to the administrator.

AI can analyze emails, links, and websites to detect phishing attacks. It can block suspicious messages and prevent users from visiting malicious sites, thus protecting users and the system from data theft.

AI helps effectively combat bots that may be used for attacks on websites (e.g., DDoS attacks, CAPTCHA bypassing, or data theft). AI can distinguish bots from real users, blocking them or redirecting them for additional verification to prevent attacks.

This is by no means a complete list of AI capabilities in the fight against cyber threats. Overall, I believe that the rapid development of AI technologies will allow for more effective protection against online attacks.

Is it possible to achieve 100% protection from cyber threats? 

Currently, absolute protection against all cyber threats is impossible, which is why the most promising approach to ensuring cybersecurity is a business-oriented model aimed at protecting the company’s key cyber assets and preventing unacceptable incidents. Within this framework, companies with a mature information base implement effective cybersecurity based on real concerns and business needs.

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