Final answer:
An SQL injection attack is a type of cybersecurity attack that allows attackers to manipulate a website's database by inserting malicious SQL code through input fields. Developers can prevent these attacks by using parameterized queries or prepared statements.
Step-by-step explanation:
An SQL injection attack is a type of cybersecurity attack that targets websites with vulnerabilities in their database management systems. It happens when an attacker manipulates the input fields of a web application to insert malicious SQL code into the application's back-end database.
For example, let's say a website allows users to search for products by entering keywords. If the website doesn't properly validate and sanitize user input, an attacker could enter SQL statements instead of keywords. This could lead to the execution of unexpected commands, allowing the attacker to retrieve, modify, or delete data.
To prevent SQL injection attacks, it's crucial for developers to use parameterized queries or prepared statements, which ensure that user input is treated as data rather than executable code.