Acunetix, the Euro-American Web application security solutions provider, is offering all South African universities a complimentary Web site audit through its recently launched service, Acunetix SiteAudit.
This ensures Web sites are secure against attacks and checks for SQL injection, cross-site scripting and other vulnerabilities.
The company says higher education institutions and non-profit organisations in the US and elsewhere are experiencing a surge in attempts at hacking their data. The more recent known examples in the US were perpetrated against the University of California, the University of Texas and Mississippi State University.
A hacker infiltrated a massive database at the University of California, Los Angeles, in December, the company says. Acunetix adds that the personal information of 800 000 people was compromised in what it describes as "one of the worst computer breaches ever at a US university".
"There is a general lack of awareness about Web application security," says KJ Vella, VP of sales and operations at Acunetix.
"Organisations, in general, do not realise if their Web apps are weak, hackers will find a way to get in and steal your data. What makes the situation worse is that you'll never know they've been in. Hackers will not leave a trail, your data will still remain there, but a copy of it resides in its entirety elsewhere, either for immediate sale, or for later use."
Vella explains that SiteAudit normally retails for $395, but says the company is offering universities a free Web site and Web applications check. "Our Web security experts will audit a Web site and issue a full report."
The company has confirmed that the offer is open to South African universities, which can apply here, or send an e-mail to siteaudit@acunetix.com, including contact details and Web site URL.
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