What is Web Jacking In Cyber Security?

Among the several Cyberattacks, Web Jacking in Cyber Security is one of the most prominent. Various forms of cyber-attacks can compromise the integrity of your systems, networks, or applications. Therefore, it is crucial to stay vigilant and informed about as many threats as possible.   

Nowadays, terms like Cybercrime and cyber security attack are gaining popularity. Cyber-attacks occur so frequently that both individuals and organisations are at risk of falling prey to it. Implementing effective Cyber Security Risk Management strategies are crucial in safeguarding against such threats. The Cyber Threat Defense Report of 2021 stated a 5% increase in the foundational IT security budget. In recent years, the number of Cyber Security professionals has increased considerably.   

Know about Web Jacking, a type of phishing attack frequently used to obtain user information, such as credit card numbers and login information, in Cyber Security.

Table of contents

1) What is Web Jacking? 

2) Understanding how Web Jacking works 

3) Web Threats for Organisations In Cyber Security 

4) How to stay safe from Web Jacking? 

5) Conclusion 

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What is Web Jacking?
 

In simplest terms, when attackers illegally gain control of an organisation’s or individual’s website is known as Web Jacking. The hackers implant a fake website, which, when you open it, takes you to another fraudulent website, where the attackers try to extract sensitive information. This crucial data can range from simple account passwords to credit card details.  

There are still millions of people who do not understand the significance of Cyber Security, let alone web threats like Web Jacking. The safety of your web must be a priority. This is why it is important to understand how Web Jacking works and learn how to prevent it. 
 

Understanding how Web Jacking works 

Web Jacking is a phishing attack intended to extract confidential data from users. It follows a basic skeleton, from creating a fake website to freezing it to steal the users' login information. Following are the steps generally followed by attackers in Web Jacking. 

a) Compromising the Domain Name System (DNS): Firstly, the hacker creates a fake web page using the same domain name as the targeted web application. 

b) Hosting: The second step is to host it on your computer or shared hosting. 

c) Sending link: This step involves the hacker sending the fake website’s link to the victim. The success of the hacker’s mission depends entirely on whether the victim falls for it.  

d) Entering details: If the victim clicks on the link, it directs them to the malicious website. As the victim enters sensitive information like their login credentials or credit card details, the hacker gets all of it. The attacker can use these freshly retrieved details for nefarious reasons. 

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How do you initiate a Web Jacking attack?

Seven steps need to be followed to launch a Web Jacking attack: 

a) The first step to applying the Web Jacking method is to make use of the ‘setoolkit’ in Kali Linux.  

b) Next, open the Kali Linux system, followed by the Terminal window. 

c) Type setoolkit on the terminal. 

d) This will pave the way for various options for attacking methods. From the provided list, you must choose the Social-engineering attack option. 

e) You are required to type 1 to select your preferred social-engineering attack. This gives you numerous options of attack types to choose from. If you type 2, it shows the list of ways that you can use to attack the website, as you require a vector it.  

The steps mentioned above will help create a fake website (the same as the victim's website page) and host it on your computer. 

f) The next step is copying the fake website link and sending it to the victim. Make sure that the link is changed to the domain name if it was present as your local computer IP address.  

g) For converting, open the link, type your computer ID address, and wait for the link to be created. Once it’s ready, send it to the victim and wait until they enter their details.  

Once the victim opens the link, their browser will display a message – the site www.xyz.com has moved to another address, click here to go to the new location - that asks them to move to a new page. The victim gets redirected to the fake webpage upon clicking this link. 
 

Web Threats For Organisations In Cyber Security

The fatality of being a victim of cybercrime can vary on the degree of attack and the hacker’s target group. While aiming at organisations, hackers intend to extract cardinal data that can pave the way to more sensitive information or money. Alongside knowing about cyber–attacks, it is also important to understand the results of being conned on the Web. 

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Consequences of Web Jacking in Organisations 

Web Jacking can affect an organisation in various ways. If at all an employee’s login credentials get leaked, the hacker has access to all the files on that person’s system, which might hold company-sensitive data. When an organisation gets hit with this type of cyber-attack, they are prone to vast amounts of financial loss. Losing funds can lead to losing business partners, a gradual dip in market shares, and a tainted reputation. 

How to stay safe from Web Jacking? 
 

It is imperative to stay alert when something foreign appears on your system. You can never predict when you might get hit with Web Jacking. This indicates a pressing need to keep some tips in mind that can sustain Cyber Security.  

a) The first tip to keep in mind is to avoid clicking on suspicious links that make their way to you via emails or messages.  

b) Always check the legitimacy of the link by pasting the URL on the address bar. Your first hint at a fraudulent link could be the difference between the URL and the intended website.  

c) Make use of browsers with anti-phishing detection. 

d) If your links include company or institution names, confirm the original spelling.  

e) Another tip to keep in mind is that if or when you come across a shady website that is asking for your details, do not give your original credentials. Instead, put in a fake username and password. This way, you protect your information and can confirm the website’s legitimacy.
 

Conclusion

Web Jacking is merely one of the multiple types of cyber threats present today. Since it is difficult to keep up with all of them, understanding them one by one is taking one step in the right direction. We hope this blog has helped familiarise you with Web Jacking in Cyber Security. 

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