Different techniques to secure the data in the web development
Different techniques to secure the data in the web development
Software with security is utterly essential. A secured web application is the most prominent requirement for any business which is doing online business. If a web application has security breaches, it is more open to attack by hackers.
Before a web application commissioned on a Web server and exposed to the external world, it must be produced securely. The group of people who are responsible for building secure web applications is architects, developers, database administrators. Testers are also involved in the process.
What’s more, as it’s widely accepted that whatever security measures we use should be peer-reviewed and conform to industry best practices, it’s something of a red flag if the person making decisions on this is recommending the exact opposite.
we can’t discuss each and every security mistake developers do, we can highlight the most important:
Understand what data you need to protect and Encrypt the data.
One of the most important principle every web developer must follow, understand the necessary data that need to be store and encrypt these data. Securing the data is the most significant aspect of Web security. Most of the data stored in databases are plain and open. While utmost data can be stored plain, sensible data must be encrypted in the database. The cost of storing encrypted data isn’t much. Nowadays, maximum new versions of database systems advanced with built-in encryption prospects.
Some of the general data that must be encrypted cover user ids, emails, passwords, social security numbers, date of birth records, credit card details, password hint answers, private chats and messages, financial records, and banking information.
On top of this, you could apply double encryption to the most sensitive data such as passwords, credit card information, social security, and anything else you think is valuable. Hashing is suggested for password and other sensible data encryption.
This one simple step is a part of application architecture and database design that does not require a ton of overhead.
Encrypt Website with HTTPS
Securing a website using HTTPS is a must today. It Let’s users complete a successful transaction without any risk of data loss, Increases user’s trust and confidence. And also eliminates browser warning and alert.
Exclude Embedded SQL
Embedded SQL queries in your code may direct to a permissive path for hackers. If possible, use a stored procedure or encrypted queries to make it difficult for hackers. If SQL queries be a part of your presentation layer code? They must be transferred to your server-side code. If you’re just designing the UI layer, the data transfer should be done via secure APIs.
Secure Credentials
Developers usually save database server credentials in configuration files. No matter what, all database servers and other server connections and settings must be encrypted strongly. Try to avoid hardcoding server credentials. If you must hardcode credentials in your code, are encrypted and the private/public key is saved securely somewhere.
Enforce Complex Passwords
The word “complexity” refers to the password strength, it is a trial of the effectiveness against attackers. Following are some of the key points developers can implement to create complex passwords.
Have a minimum length of passwords of at least 8 characters
At least one upper case, one lower case, one number, and one special character
Don’t allow names and user ids as a part of a password
Don’t allow old passwords to be repeated
Enforce password change (for some systems) frequently (for example, every 60 days)
Password reset should contain security questions and/or verify the email and phone number with a pin.
Hashing is the best option to secure and save passwords. Hashing makes no one can read a password. The only way to change the password is to reset the password with the help of security questions and other hints. And also, it will not send regular passwords in emails.
Implement Fit Authentication and Authorization
Broken Authentication is another major cause for Web application security risks according to OWASP Web Application. Applications that implement incorrect authentication and session variables head hackers to capture passwords, keys, and other credentials saved in sessions. Cookies are a different method that can be practiced to misuse application security. By executing suggested best practices, developers can dodge major security risks in their applications.
Stop SQL Injection
SQL Injection is stable for major cyber-attacks and hacking. Hackers use this technique to exploit SQL queries and URLs applied in web applications.
Secure APIs
APIs are a general data exchange mechanism between applications. Developers must secure that all APIs are secure and practice SSL and other best practices. The connection credentials and other sensitive data must be properly encrypted.
Keep Web Server Secure
Web Server is one of the most important and critical components of web infrastructure. Web server is responsible for hosting a Web site and its related code, services, and all required files.
Here is a list of tasks Web server administrators should perform to keep Web and Database servers secure.
1. Separate environments for development, staging, and production
2. Maintain separate user logins and their permissions based on their roles
3. Let tight security on Web Server including permissions and access
4. Run Operating System on its own hard drive partition
5. Have web application, scripts, and all code on a separate partition of the hard drive
6. Install a Firewall and essential products
7. Websites should be secured with the latest version of SSL and other protocols
8. Configure and permit Web server and other logs
9. Provision web server for the latest technologies such as containers
10. Make sure to allocate and separate proper resources for web applications and services
11. Avoid using shared servers among multiple clients
12. Do not allow write permissions on the server’s file system
Secure Database Server
Here is a list of tasks database administrators must do to secure database servers.
Make sure the database server is separate from a Web server
Secure and encrypt login credentials
Implement separate user logins for separate web applications
Don’t give database users write and delete permissions unless necessary
Use object permissions on database tables and object
Store and monitor database logs
Use the security mechanism to provide data access
Security Patches and Updates
Keep your servers up to date with the popular patches including OS patches, database, and other software upgrades.
Monitor Traffic & Server Logs
Implement a proper mechanism to monitor server traffic & logs frequently and implement fraud protection mechanism for suspected traffic.
Train Users
Server administrators must educate Web administrators, developers, and even management regarding the value of security and discourage them to download and make frequent changes. All changes on the servers must be logged, reviewed, and approved.
By implementing the above-suggested techniques you can prevent the websites from hacker attacks.
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