Abstract
Identification and prevention of cybersecurity threats is an essential factor for information security professionals. Cyber Kill Chain® methodology has been of assistance in the information security field towards preventing cybersecurity threats. The main intention is always to gather data without authorized access. It serves as a threat to the cybersecurity decision making process. Footprinting is a reconnaissance process where data or information is extracted through social engineering, websites, email, and sophisticated tools towards locating a target network’s vulnerabilities. The continuous advancement in technology makes companies and individuals rely more on online platforms for information. The internet contains much information, and one can access most of it through google search and other related means. One of the convenient reconnaissance forms is website footprinting, which allows collecting detailed information by an organization without setting off Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and avoiding suspicions. Website footprinting is utilized by adversaries to weaponize vulnerabilities while Threat Intelligence (TI) analysts use it to prevent vulnerability exploitation. Analysts in data collection processes also use the method. The website footprinting has various methods that are utilized in the identification and prevention of cybersecurity threats. The methods ensure data safety and observation to avoid any form of a breach that may occur—the advancement of technology results in new cybersecurity threats that require maximum observation and prevention methods. Hence continuous development and modification of currently available methods are necessary. The process of gathering data can also create security gaps within the company systems. Every company and organization which stores enormous amounts of sensitive data within the internet must have a well-established cybersecurity system.
Keywords; Website, Footprint, cybersecurity, and online