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Guide on Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is a type of malicious exploit of a website wherein unauthorized commands are transmitted from a user that the website trusts. It is significant because it breaches trust and privacy by deceiving the website and causing an unsuspecting user to carry out functions.

How CSRF Works:
1. The attacker creates a malicious link containing a command that they wish to force the user to execute.
2. This link is then sent to the user, usually embedded within an innocuous-looking website or an email.
3. If the user clicks on the link while being authenticated on the target site, the command is silently executed using the user's credentials.
4. The website can't distinguish between a legitimate request from the user and a forged request.

Exam Tips - Answering Questions on Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF):
While answering exam questions related to CSRF, keep in mind that you need to:
- Understand the basic mechanics of CSRF attacks.
- Know the prevention methods, such as using anti-CSRF tokens or Same Site Cookies.
- Be able to explain how it's different from Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), as XSS involves injecting malicious code into websites, while CSRF involves tricking the client into executing a command that benefits the attacker.

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Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) practice test

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is a web security vulnerability that forces a user's browser to perform unwanted actions on a web application in which they are authenticated. CSRF attacks exploit the trust that web applications have for authenticated users and can result in unauthorized data modification, unauthorized transaction execution, or even account takeover. Defending against CSRF attacks involves implementing proper anti-CSRF tokens, verifying the origin of requests, and following the principle of least privilege.

Time: 5 minutes   Questions: 5

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CompTIA Security+ Preparation Package (2024)

  • 2083 Superior-grade CompTIA Security+ practice questions.
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  • Risk-Free Decision: Start with a 7-day free trial - get premium features at no cost!