We live in an interconnected world. Your online store automatically communicates with the bank for payments, the courier for deliveries, and the billing software. It all seems magical and fast. But have you ever wondered how these systems talk to each other?
They use digital “pipes” called APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). By 2026, API vulnerabilities had become hackers’ preferred method for stealing data en masse, precisely because they are often left unmonitored. At Altanet Craiova, we consider API security a top priority for any business that develops or uses modern software.
What is an API, and why is it an easy target?
Think of an API as a waiter in a restaurant. You (the customer/app on your phone) sit at the table and ask the waiter (API) for the menu or your food. The waiter goes to the kitchen (server/database), gets what you asked for, and brings it to you. You never go into the kitchen.
The problem arises when the "waiter" isn’t trained to verify who’s ordering the food. Vulnerabilities occur when hackers ask the waiter for things they shouldn’t receive, and the waiter obediently brings them.
Examples of API Attacks (BOLA)
The most common type of attack is called BOLA (Broken Object Level Authorization). Let’s take a simple example:
- You are logged into the courier app and want to view the status of your order with ID 1001.
- The app sends an API request: "Show me the details of order 1001."
- The hacker intercepts the request and simply changes the number: "Show me the details of order 1002," then 1003, 1004, etc.
- If the API is vulnerable, it doesn’t check whether the hacker is authorized to view order 1002; it simply delivers it. Thus, the attacker can download the entire database of addresses and names without cracking a single password.
How do you secure your digital "doors"?
API security isn’t solved with a simple antivirus, but through strict programming and monitoring rules:
- Strict Authentication and Authorization: It’s not enough for the user to be logged in. The API must verify with every request: “Does this user have the right to view EXACTLY this document?”
- Rate Limiting: If someone requests details on 1,000 orders in a minute, it’s clearly an attack. The system must automatically block these excessive requests.
- Do not expose unnecessary data: Sometimes, the API sends the entire customer file (social security number, address, history) to the user’s phone, even though the app only displays the name. Hackers can see this hidden data in the network traffic. Send only what is strictly necessary.
This issue is so critical that the global organization OWASP has a list dedicated exclusively to these risks. You can review the OWASP API Security Top 10 for technical details.
Conclusion
APIs are the engine of digital transformation, but they can also be its Achilles’ heel. Don’t leave windows open to your database. Test your applications before hackers do.
Do you have a mobile app or an online store and want a penetration test for your API? Our team offers security audits and specialized IT services. Visit our contact page and ensure your data remains private.
This material is part of Altanet’s educational series on digital security. Want to know what other risks you’re facing this year? See the complete list of cyber threats for 2026.