A new report by Reflectiz reveals a disturbing trend in web security. The 2026 State of Web Exposure Research shows a spike in sensitive data access by third-party applications. The findings highlight growing risks for businesses and public organizations worldwide.
Third-Party Apps Drive Unjustified Sensitive Data Access
According to Reflectiz, 64% of third-party applications now access sensitive data without a valid business reason. This is a 25% increase from last year, underscoring a widening governance gap. Tools such as Google Tag Manager, Shopify, and Facebook Pixel are commonly over-permissioned. Often, these applications are added by marketing teams while IT lacks full oversight, making organizations more vulnerable.
Public-Sector Websites See Surge in Malicious Activity
The research uncovered a dramatic rise in threats to public infrastructure. Government sites saw malicious activity jump from 2% to 12.9% in just one year. In education, one in seven websites now show signs of compromise, four times more than last year. The report attributes these risks to limited budgets and not enough security staff in the public sector.
Reflectiz Report Highlights Web Exposure Risks and Solutions
Reflectiz’s 43-page analysis offers a comprehensive look at web exposure risks. It includes:
- Sector-by-sector breakdowns of vulnerabilities
- A list of high-risk third-party applications
- Year-over-year industry trends
- Technical indicators of compromise
- Best practices for improving security and governance
Notably, ticketweb.uk was the only website to achieve a perfect score in all security benchmarks.
In summary, the Reflectiz report highlights the urgent need for better oversight of third-party applications and stronger security controls. As web threats increase, organizations must act swiftly to protect their data and reputations.
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