What is Formjacking Attack and How to Prevent it?

Formjacking Attacks have become a serious concern for both individuals and businesses. These attacks involve the injection of malicious code into a website's form, typically one that handles sensitive information like payment details. As users submit their information, the code secretly captures and transmits the data to cybercriminals, leaving both the user and the business vulnerable.

This type of attack is particularly insidious because the transaction appears to proceed normally, leaving users unaware that their information has been compromised. 

Who are the common targets?  

E-commerce websites, especially their checkout forms, are the most common targets for Formjacking Attacks. Other vulnerable areas include online banking login pages and any site that requires users to input sensitive personal information. Cybercriminals are drawn to these sites due to the high value of the data collected, which can be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web. 

The Impact of Formjacking

On Individuals 

For individuals, Formjacking Attacks pose a significant risk to personal information. The stolen data often includes credit card numbers, addresses, and other sensitive information, which can lead to identity theft and financial loss. Victims may not realize they’ve been targeted until unauthorized transactions appear on their accounts. 

On Businesses 

Businesses affected by Formjacking Attacks face severe consequences, including financial losses due to chargebacks and fines, as well as damage to their reputation. Customers lose trust in businesses that fail to protect their data, which can lead to a decline in sales and long-term harm to the company’s brand. 

Mitigation Strategies

For Organizations 

To defend against Formjacking Attacks, organizations should implement regular software updates, deploy web application firewalls, and conduct thorough security audits. These practices help detect and remove malicious code before it can do harm. Businesses should also consider adopting more advanced security measures like Subresource Integrity (SRI) and Content Security Policy (CSP) to prevent unauthorized code from running on their websites. 

For Users 

Individuals can protect themselves by using comprehensive security software, enabling real-time browsing protection, and monitoring their financial statements for any suspicious activity. Being cautious about the websites they interact with, especially when entering sensitive information, is also crucial. 

Advanced Security Measures

Implementing Subresource Integrity (SRI) 

Subresource Integrity (SRI) allows websites to ensure that external resources like JavaScript files have not been tampered with. If a file doesn’t match the expected cryptographic hash, it won’t load, preventing malicious code from executing. 

Using Content Security Policy (CSP) 

Content Security Policy (CSP) restricts the sources from which a website can load resources, thereby preventing unauthorized scripts from being executed. By limiting what can run on a webpage, CSP acts as a strong defense against Formjacking Attacks. 

As cybersecurity technologies evolve, so do the tactics used in Formjacking Attacks. Emerging trends indicate that these attacks will continue to grow more sophisticated. However, advancements in cybersecurity, including AI-driven threat detection and more robust encryption methods, offer hope in the fight against this persistent threat.