GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies Practice Test

How can a web server mitigate clickjacking attacks?

1. By using SSL for encrypting communications

2. By sending the X-Frame Options header in the HTTP response

3. By implementing CAPTCHA verification on forms

4. By maintaining strict user authentication policies

The correct answer is: By sending the X-Frame Options header in the HTTP response

To effectively mitigate clickjacking attacks, sending the X-Frame Options header in the HTTP response is a crucial technique. Clickjacking is a type of attack where an attacker tricks a user into clicking on something different from what the user perceives, potentially allowing the attacker to hijack clicks meant for legitimate content. The X-Frame Options header allows web developers to control whether their web pages can be displayed in a frame or iframe. By specifying this header in the server's HTTP response, it prevents the page from being embedded within an iframe on another site, which is the core method by which clickjacking is executed. For instance, setting this header to "DENY" completely prevents any domain from framing the content, while "SAMEORIGIN" allows only the same site to frame the content. This proactive approach effectively reduces the risk of users being deceived into interacting with malicious content displayed over legitimate content. Thus, the implementation of the X-Frame Options header is a straightforward and highly effective measure against clickjacking attacks, ensuring the integrity of the web application and the safety of its users.