David S. Read

Yet another vendor attempts to reduce application security to something that can be purchased.

“How to Hacker-Proof Your Web Applications,” was the amusing subject of an email I received recently.  I’m sure that it wasn’t meant to be amusing.  I suppose I just have a strange sense of humor.

The source of the email was a company that I consider to be reputable, though this could lead me to reconsider that opinion.  I won’t single out the organization since hyperbole apparently continues to be a requirement to sell most anything.

I have to wonder though, does anyone actually read a subject line like that and then open the email fully expecting to be presented with a product or service that does what the subject states?  I certainly hope not.  Let’s explore the meaning of the message and then we’ll see if the email content led me to such a nirvana.

“Your Web Applications” covers every piece of software I have that presents a web interface.  This includes my traditional HTTP/HTML-based applications as well as web services.  These applications may be based on a variety of technologies such as .NET, Java, PERL and Ruby.  They include third-party libraries and frameworks.  Further, they are hosted on some form of hardware running some operating system.  Clearly this claim applies to a wide and deep world of application infrastructures and architectures.

“Hacker-Proof” means that no attacker will be able to successfully exploit the applications.  That is quite a promise.  By opening this email I’m going to find out what is necessary to prevent all successful exploits for my entire set of web facing applications?  This is great news! (more…)