Application Layer Protocols
                     Application Layer
Protocols Understanding
Security Implications
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
The Foundation of Web Browsing
Key Vulnerabilities
• Plaintext communication (no encryption in HTTP).
• Susceptible to Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks.
• Vulnerability to injection attacks like SQL and XSS.
Best Practices
• Always use HTTPS (TLS encryption).
• Implement HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security).
• Regularly update web servers and frameworks.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
File Transfer at Risk
Key Vulnerabilities
• Credentials transmitted in plaintext.
• Prone to brute force attacks.
• Vulnerable to packet sniffing.
Best Practices
• Use SFTP or FTPS instead of FTP.
• Employ strong authentication mechanisms (keys or MFA).
• Restrict IP access and enforce session timeouts.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
Secure Your Emails
Key Vulnerabilities
• Spoofing and phishing attacks.
• Lack of encryption by default.
• Open relay misuse leading to spam.
Best Practices
• Enable STARTTLS or use SMTPS for encrypted communication.
• Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email validation.
• Use email filtering and monitoring tools.
SSH (Secure Shell)
Secure Remote Access
Key Vulnerabilities
• Weak credentials vulnerable to brute force.
• Misconfigured servers exposing sensitive data.
• Outdated algorithms susceptible to exploitation.
Best Practices
• Use SSH version 2 for enhanced security.
• Disable root login and password-based authentication;
use key-based access.
• Regularly update the SSH server and audit logs.
DNS (Domain Name System)
The Internet's Address Book
Key Vulnerabilities
• DNS spoofing (poisoning) leading to redirection to malicious
sites.
• Amplification attacks in DDoS campaigns.
• Data exfiltration via DNS tunneling.
Best Practices
• Use DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) to authenticate
responses.
• Configure rate-limiting and monitoring to prevent DDoS.
• Employ encrypted DNS (DoH or DoT) to ensure privacy.