: This is a comment operator in SQL. It tells the database to ignore the rest of the legitimate code that follows, effectively neutralizing any security checks at the end of the original query. Why you might be seeing this
: These are "dummy" values used to match the number of columns in the original database table. If the column counts don't match, the attack fails, so hackers often guess the number of columns this way. : This is a comment operator in SQL
If you found this in your website logs, email subjects, or contact forms, someone (or more likely an automated bot) is . They are looking for "entry points" where user input isn't properly cleaned before being sent to the database. How to protect your data If the column counts don't match, the attack
: This is likely a placeholder for a legitimate search term or ID used by an application. How to protect your data : This is
This is the #1 defense. It ensures the database treats input as literal text, not executable code.
Never trust user input. Use allow-lists to ensure only expected data types (like numbers or plain text) are processed.
Ensure your database user accounts only have the permissions they absolutely need. A web account should rarely have permission to drop tables or access system configurations.