How to Secure Web Applications: 15 Essential Practices You Should Know
- Anand
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Introduction
Web application security is crucial in today's digital landscape, where cyber threats are evolving rapidly. This blog will cover essential security best practices, OWASP guidelines, and real-world scenarios to help protect your applications.
1. Avoid HTTP, Use HTTPS Instead
Issue: HTTP is prone to Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks, where attackers can intercept and manipulate data.
Solution:
Use HTTPS to encrypt communication with SSL/TLS protocols. Obtain SSL certificates from a trusted authority.
2. Common Web Vulnerabilities & How to Prevent Them
SQL Injection (SQLi)
Scenario: A user enters '; DROP TABLE users; -- in a login form, causing a database wipe.
Prevention: Use prepared statements and parameterized queries.
Sanitize user inputs.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Scenario: An attacker injects <script>alert('Hacked!')</script> into a comment box, executing malicious scripts. Prevention:
Escape special characters in input fields.
Use Content Security Policy (CSP).
Command Injection
Scenario: An attacker inputs rm -rf / in a poorly secured file deletion function, leading to data loss.
Prevention:
Avoid executing shell commands from user input.
Validate and sanitize inputs.
OWASP Guidelines
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) provides best security practices, including:
- Injection prevention
- Secure authentication
- Proper access control
- Security logging and monitoring
- Regular security updates
Frontend Form Sanitization for Database Protection
- Validate user input before submission.
- Use frontend libraries like DOMPurify to sanitize inputs.
- Implement backend validation as an additional layer.
5. Updating Plugins and Frameworks
Example: If using React, ensure react-dom and react-scripts are up-to-date to avoid security vulnerabilities. Best Practices:
- Regularly update dependencies.
- Use tools like npm audit to check for vulnerabilities.
6. Regular Automated Backups
- Set up periodic backups using cron jobs.
- Store backups in a secure, offsite location.
- Test restoration processes regularly.
7. API Rate Limiting
Use rate limiting to prevent DDoS attacks and API abuse.
Example: Implement express-rate-limit in a Node.js API.
Set a limit on the number of API requests per user/IP.
8. Frontend API Call Throttling
Scenario: A user spams the login form, overwhelming the server.
Solution: Implement debounce and throttling techniques using JavaScript to limit repeated requests.
9. Using CDN Services for Security & Performance
- Protect against DDoS attacks.
- Reduce latency and improve site speed.
Examples: Cloudflare, AWS CloudFront, Akamai
10. Web Application Firewall (WAF) Implementation
- Filters malicious traffic before reaching the server.
- Protects against SQLi, XSS, and other attacks.
11. Secure Access Management
- Restrict admin and super-admin privileges.
- Implement role-based access control (RBAC).
- Use least privilege principle.
12. Strengthening Authentication with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Require an additional authentication step (e.g., OTP, authenticator apps).
Example: Google Authenticator or Authy for login security.
13. Monitoring & Tracking Suspicious Activities
- Use Sentry or Splunk for real-time error tracking.
- Enable security logging and monitoring.
- Set up alerts for unusual activity.
14. Improving Code Quality and Performance
- Use SonarQube to detect security vulnerabilities and code smells.
- Optimize code for performance and maintainability.
15. Hiding API Calls in the Browser Network Tab
API calls made from the front end can be visible in browser developer tools, which may expose sensitive data.
Solution: Use server-side API calls in frameworks like Next.js and Angular Universal to hide API requests from the client.
Example: In Next.js, use getServerSideProps to fetch data securely on the server and pass it to the client.
In Angular Universal, leverage server-side rendering (SSR) to handle API requests before sending the response to the browser.
Conclusion
Implementing these security measures will significantly enhance your web application's resilience against attacks. Regular audits, updates, and best practices are essential to maintaining security in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Need help keeping your web app secure?
Webstrike can help you build and maintain safer web applications.
Get in touch with us at webstrike.in — let’s keep your business protected.
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