Key Practices for Ensuring Secure Coding in Web Applications

Meta description: In an environment, where cyber criminals are using the latest techniques and sophisticated tools, developers must know about secure coding practices in web apps.

In the past, web applications were used on static web pages and standalone computers. Today, these apps have changed into dynamic programs, working across multiple websites and gadgets. Online security has changed too and web applications are no longer secure. Secure coding practices ensure these programs are safe and user data is secure. Here are important coding practices that you should observe.

Implement encryption in your approach to securing web applications

Data theft statistics show that 35% of thefts happen after an interception of data in transit. About 4% to 10% of web traffic interception involves encrypted data. This data includes information from web apps which could make them vulnerable. Secure coding best practices ensure data cannot be read after interception. Implement the following encryption coding best practices.

Developers use a variety of guidelines when implementing secure coding practices. The OWASP principles are some of the guidelines published to help develop secure code, find security issues, and fix them. Alongside these guidelines, DAST tools help test applications in their running state to uncover vulnerabilities that coding practices alone may not address. But, what is OWASP and what are its principles? Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is an experienced technical team that provides guidelines on secure application development protocols. It guides developers on things they must focus on like testing apps, checking inputs, and data encryption. These guidelines ensure applications are safe from breaches like XSS and SQL injections 

• TLS (Transport Layer Security). TLS protocol ensures web applications communicate securely. Integrate the current TLS version like 1.3.
• HTTPS. It is an encryption protocol from the server to the user and vice versa. This ensures communication cannot be read from either end. 
• Data encryption. Encrypt private data like health and financial records to keep it secure while in transit or databases. 

Validate input during security programming

Secure coding standards demand developers to confirm all information entered into a web application is safe. It should be validated to ensure it is correct and not prone to breaches like XSS and SQL injection. The information should be corrected or reentered if it contains errors or is inaccurate. Secure coding techniques during validation may include the following. 

Developers may limit the length of the information. For instance, restrict usernames and passwords to certain minimum and maximum characters. Create input whitelists to ensure only inputs from secure sources are added. The system should block insecure information inputs. Encode output data by adding special characters to protect it from attacks like XSS. Ensure data inputs from the client and server sides are safe.

Do not use hard hardcoding in the list of secure coding techniques

Hardcoding was an old practice where developers stored important data like logins and keys in the code. This should never be part of your web application security best practices. If the code is hacked or its data leaked, the information gets compromised easily. Focus on a responsive design but treat secure coding as more important. 

Store sensitive code data in a different environment like Azure Key Vault and AWS Secrets Manager. These tools store code keys and passwords in a safe environment. Avoid storing code’s sensitive data in the same environment such as a server or cloud. Instead, store it in a different server or cloud solution. Do not always use the same keys and passwords but change them regularly. Running a regular DAST scan can also help detect vulnerabilities in running applications before attackers can exploit them.

Implement authentication and authorization web app security best practices

Develop settings that help an app identify users and decide the best way to authorize what data they can access. Authorization and authentication are some of the methods hackers mainly use. They trick systems to allow them access by cracking codes or stealing access data.

Secure coding practices for this approach include secure session management and demanding strong passwords. Implement random session IDs to secure every session. Limit cookies during sessions and communicate through HTTPS protocol.

Implement access controls based on roles and demand multifactor authentication. RBAC ensures users use or access only the data they need. MFA is a security protocol that extends the security layer through additional login requirements.

Implement cross-site scripting application security best practices

XSS protection prevents online criminals from injecting hacking scripts into web applications. They inject such scripts to redirect traffic to malicious websites, intercept data, or steal logins. They can use the scripts to steal APIs or e-commerce data which could significantly affect the conversion rate of the platform.

Observe the following secure web application development to prevent XSS breaches. Escape data output by removing errored or irrelevant information during web app communication. Check user input and remove harmful scripts or code. Integrate CSP (Content Security Policy) to restrict content loading on browsers.

Review code and conduct security audits regularly

Subject code into vigorous testing regularly to view its working and security capabilities. Use automated tools to conduct security audits, and report on code vulnerabilities like misconfigurations and malicious scripts. Solicit peer reviews and feedback to determine code quality. Conduct penetration testing to test the possibilities of breaking into the code. Develop fixes for any vulnerable points.

Implement secure coding best practices for SQL injection prevention

SQL injection is a breach that involves injecting an infected code into web applications. Hackers inject malicious codes to take control of application data and manipulate it. Manage website and code data on an ORM framework to increase its safety and privacy. Implement prepared statements to ensure inputs are stored as data, and not executable links.

Conclusion

Observing secure coding best practices ensures web applications are safe. Validate data added into the code and encrypt it for enhanced security. Engage code in vigorous testing to identify vulnerabilities and fix them. Store code data like logins and keys in a separate environment and use secure keys to protect it. Secure code development requires careful attention to minimize risks.