Tips to Choose the Web Application Security Testing Tool

With vital data being transmitted and stored in web applications, there is a dire need for explicit security testing. Apart from maintaining the privacy of important data, security testing also involves tackling authorization and authentication issues.

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As a tester, it is the most exciting form of testing. There are many interesting tools and techniques to reveal the vulnerabilities of a web application. But as fun as it may sound, it has a very serious side to it. With the use of the right security testing tools you can uncover many hidden issues that can otherwise give out sensitive information in unauthorized hands. With so many web application security testing tools available, there is always a doubt about the most suitable option. Here are some tips to choose the right security testing tool:

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Simplicity of use
It is very important for a security testing tool to have complete ease of usage to save unnecessary time wastage. The tool should not be confusing and should be easy enough to be understood by first time users. The installation should be simple and the basic setup should not require too much time.

Add-ons
A web application security testing tool is incomplete without a handy set of standalone tools. Some examples can be HTTP editors, web proxy and HTTP discovery service that allows detection of live web servers on the network. These utilities are very important to perform thorough investigation. More than half of the issues are revealed by these additional utilitarian tools.

Creation of logs
Logging allows you to track the entire process from submitting the URL to packet level details. You can locate the error invoking code and can even identify the headers sent and received via the HTTP protocol.

Authentication and authorization
Security testing tools should allow you to manipulate the web application as an authenticated user. This will help you in revealing the loopholes or the sensitive areas of the application that can be easily exploited. Similarly, you should be able to adopt different authorization roles and test the application accordingly.

Handling false positives
Every testing tool generates many false positives but the right tool is the one that offers ways to control what has already been scanned or seen. When used in future, it saves lot of time and makes testing hassle free.

Testing login
Though rare, but if a web application tool provides password cracking capabilities, it can make the application very secure. This helps in testing the robustness of login mechanism. The conventional dictionary cracking methods are little limited in their scope.

Advanced features like smart scanning, multiple site scan, and internal scan query manipulation allow complete testing of the application quickly. Go for the evaluation version to see whether the tool is actually as per your requirements or not. Keep these tips in mind and choose the web application security testing tool that works well in your environment and fits your budget.

Tips to Choose the Web Application Security Testing Tool

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Welding Certification Tests - Down and Dirty Weld Testing For the Average Joe

Welding Certification is a big deal.  Jobs that Require welding like Nuclear Plants, Bridge construction, Aerospace, petro/chemical usually require a welder to pass a welding certification test before welding on anything.

But what about the thousands of hobbyist welders out there who buy a 115 volt flux core mig welding machine from Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor supply or even Craiglist?

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Do they need to be certified too?

Technically, No. But I have a suggestion for anyone anywhere that welds anything that matters... where if the weld fails, someone will get hurt or die:

This could be handlebars for a chopper, a bike rack for the back of a Jeep, a landscape trailer, or a deer stand. (All of which could kill someone if the welds failed).  The next best thing to certifying a welder is to destructively test the weld.

Lets use the chopper handlebars for an example. Obviously, you cant destroy every weld you make but what if you were to weld up a mock up set of handlebars just to prove the weld settings? Wouldn't it be worth the price of the tubing just to have confidence in the welds?

By welding a mock-up set of handlebars using some extra tubing of the same exact material type and thickness and then, taking the mock-up handlebars out back and beating the hell out of them with a BFH (big freakin hammer) you would have a pretty good idea on the soundness of the welds. If the welds broke, oh well, at least you weren't going around a curve at 90 mph. Back to the drawing board until you find out what went wrong.

This kind of testing would be an eye opener to most welders.  It is very informative when you see good looking welds that you think are fine, pop apart when subjected to the BFH test. Its gut check time and it  makes for  better welds.  Lets face it... sometimes good looking welds are not good.

Welding certification may not be necessary for everybody but a little destructive weld testing goes a long way.

Welding Certification Tests - Down and Dirty Weld Testing For the Average Joe

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