What is SQL injection in the context of web security?

SQL injection is a critical security vulnerability that occurs when an attacker is able to manipulate standard SQL queries that an application makes to its database. This manipulation can result in the attacker gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, executing administrative operations on the database, or in some cases, even bypassing authentication mechanisms. This usually happens when user input is not properly sanitized, allowing an attacker to include malicious SQL code within input fields. As such, the attack can lead to various harmful outcomes, including data theft, data manipulation, and potentially full system compromise.

In contrast, the other options describe different concepts that do not align with the definition of SQL injection. For example, methods of encrypting data relate to securing data transmission and storage but do not pertain to exploiting vulnerabilities in SQL queries. Techniques for speeding up web page loading times focus on performance optimization rather than security flaws. Finally, malware refers to harmful software that might target web applications, but it is distinct from the specific vulnerability of SQL injection, which involves manipulating SQL queries rather than introducing malicious software. Understanding SQL injection helps identify the importance of input validation and proper coding practices to safeguard against such exploits.