Web Application Security: 9 Best Practices You Need to Know

Web application security has been relevant since the advent of applications. In recent years, however, it has become especially relevant due to the growing popularity of web technologies used in all areas of modern business.

In fact, business processes and our daily lives increasingly depend on web applications in various ways, from complex infrastructure systems to IoT devices. However, while developing and designing UI/UX and solving other problems, developers often ignore or do not properly consider the security risks of web applications.

In this article I am going to discuss the best practices for secure web site development that need to be undertaken in the web project development process.

Only 23% of companies say their cybersecurity metrics are well understood by the board and senior management. — Terranova Security

Find and fix web application vulnerabilities early

Of course, it is best to prevent serious vulnerabilities from appearing in products under development. Then there is no need to find a solution to eliminate vulnerabilities or take compensatory measures later.

Today, secure development practices – SSDL (Secure Software Development Lifecycle) – are becoming widely used. This approach allows a developer to both increase the level of security and optimize the economic component of identifying and fixing vulnerabilities. 

It is much cheaper to fix bugs at the development stage than in the finished product.

Control inbound and outbound traffic

You can filter all traffic that passes through your web application, using a firewall to identify and block potentially malicious activity.

More advanced solutions of this type often include features such as logging (activity statistics), resource availability monitoring, notifications, a blacklist, and so on.

Safe use of cookies

A cookie is a small file that is stored on a user’s computer when they visit a website for the first time. It makes it possible to identify visitors when they return and to improve the user experience when they interact with a website.

It really is very convenient. However, you must remember that intruders can easily take advantage of it to get users’ private information. Therefore, you need to make sure that no sensitive user data is stored in the cookie used by your web application.

Disable unused features

If your web application does not use a particular feature, module, or component, simply disable it. By leaving unused functionality accessible, you increase the likelihood that someone will use that extra code for their own purposes.

This rule also applies to sensitive data. Never collect data that you do not intend to use, and never store data that you do not need.

Track error messages

It is necessary to take the information displayed in your application’s error messages seriously. Inform the user about errors in the most concise way possible, without potentially valuable technical data.

The details should be stored in the server log files. The problem is that having such data at hand makes it easier for an intruder to perform complex attacks on the site, such as SQL injections.

Always backup website data

No one can be 100% immune against unforeseen circumstances. In the case that your website gets hacked or infected with malicious code, you will have the possibility to easily recover all the data after fixing the issue. Therefore, make sure you back up all data. This operation requires minimal effort but can be very useful in the future.

Order a test “attack” from cybersecurity specialists

Companies that offer this service will simulate intruder attacks on your website using various vulnerability detection tools. This makes it possible to identify “vulnerabilities” in your site before real intruders do.

By understanding the nature of the failure, you can correct errors and protect potentially vulnerable entry points.

Always use SSL encryption (HTTPS)

If cookies are installed when data is sent from the authorization form, an intruder can intercept them and spoof a request to the server. As a result, an intruder can hijack the user’s session. To prevent this, use HTTPS on all pages of your site.

This is especially important when transferring sensitive data: credit card info, personal data, and even web addresses of visited pages. HTTPS allows encryption of the data streamed, so it becomes useless for hackers.

Conduct a regular security audit

Security checks and vulnerability scans should be performed regularly, especially as the product is developed and improved. It is necessary to audit your web app after every change made to it.

A web app security audit can be done once a quarter. The ultimate solution to this problem is to contract with a third-party company. This approach provides the opportunity to get an independent assessment of your infrastructure and product from the outside.

Let us summarize

When it comes to web application security, it is best to use well-known methodologies and standards. It is also advisable to use them in the early stages of development. You can use our article as a checklist.

Knowing the best practices for web application security and having a reliable technology partner will allow you to use technology more efficiently and ensure rapid business growth.

Lvivity is an experienced software development service provider and can help you build a secure, reliable and scalable web application. Contact us and we will discuss everything in more detail.