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When building apps and websites, developers have to think about security. No one wants their data to be stolen because of vulnerabilities. That said, every developer must know about the best secure coding practices.
This article dives into the importance of secure coding. Furthermore, you can find information on the best secure coding practices. Continue reading to learn more.
What Is Secure Coding and Why Is It Important?
Secure coding or secure programming refers to a set of practices, techniques, and methods that programmers use when building software. The goal is to prevent vulnerabilities by using high-level language that follows strict standards. There are different approaches, some more complex and effective than others.
Businesses and entrepreneurs rely on technology more and more. Data, including sensitive ones like financial and personal data, are stored in systems. Without protection, cybercriminals can access these. That can lead to financial loss, damage to reputation, and even grave danger. With secure coding, you can minimize those risks.
The Best Secure Programming Practices
We compiled a list of secure coding best practices here. Follow these tips to build apps with no vulnerabilities.
Security First
One common mistake is building an app and then thinking about security features once it is done. A security-first approach is much better. Design your software or website with security in mind. Admittedly, it can slow down development speed. But making software that's as secure as possible is a lot better than finishing the product as soon as possible.
Default Deny
The "default deny" or "deny by default" approach is about automatically denying access to sensitive information. To gain access, the user must first provide proof of authorization. This will prevent a cybercriminal from obtaining critical data even if they manage to infiltrate your system.
Minifying the Code
Cybercriminals will have a hard time reading your code if it is difficult to understand. It will deter them from attacking your software or website.
One way to do it is by code minification. When minifying code, you are removing line breaks and white spaces. Furthermore, you are shortening the variable names. As a result, the code, which is normally human-readable, becomes difficult to understand. You may also look at code obfuscation methods, which are more advanced and effective.
The best thing is that code minification also affects performance. It makes the website or software faster.
Choose Components Carefully
Open-source components and libraries can speed up production. They allow you to save time and effort. However, they can also add vulnerabilities to your software and open a door for cybercriminals.
That said, you should check the components to plan to use. See if there are known vulnerabilities. If there are, avoid using those components. If there are none, you can use them. But please remember to check again multiple times throughout the development process to ensure no new vulnerabilities are discovered.
Password Management
During development, you should consider how passwords will be handled. It is an essential element in cybersecurity.
Here's the thing. What passwords the users will use are out of your control. What you can do is to set password requirements. It's common practice to require the passwords to be a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. You must also require the passwords to be at least a certain length. The longer it is, the better.
Then, set a trial limit. After a few failed login attempts, password entry must be disabled.
Additionally, enable multi-factor authentication. That way, it will be impossible for malicious actors to get in even if they guessed the password correctly.
We also recommend not storing passwords as plain text. Instead, convert them into salted cryptographic hashes.
Using VPN
Developers may need to access information from remote servers. Also, remote teams need to communicate using messaging apps. Using reliable VPNs can protect all transmissions by establishing a secure, encrypted connection. It prevents data interception and "eavesdropping".
Finding, Handling, and Logging Errors
If there are system errors, there are bugs. The thing is, that can also mean there are vulnerabilities. With that said, you should catch these errors before it becomes a big problem. You should also record all the errors found during development. It allows you or the developers to find the cause and solve the issues.
Please note that you should also use only trusted systems when logging the errors. Suppose you used a vulnerable one. Malicious actors can attack that system and obtain your critical information. It gives them a great resource about how they can attack the system you are developing.
Work with AIS Technolabs
Are you up for the task? It's okay if you think you can't handle it yourself. There are things we can't do without others' help. That said, consider working with AIS Technolabs.
AIS Technolabs has teams of software developers, mobile app developers, and web developers. They are knowledgeable about secure coding best practices. Not only that, but they are also experts at building software that works and is easy to use.
The team will support you through every stage of the process, from ideation to development, deployment, and maintenance! Contact AIS Technolabs today to set the groundwork for secure, working software for your business.
Conclusion
Developers should not ignore the secure coding best practices. These help minimize the vulnerabilities in the app, software, or website that they are building.
The best practices include using a safety-first approach. Likewise, developers must follow the deny-by-default approach. On top of that, they must think about how passwords will be regulated and stored. Using a VPN and using only components with no known vulnerabilities is also recommended. Minification of code and handling and logging of errors are also good practices.
The downside is that these practices can slow down the production. Developers have to constantly worry about security measures, which could conflict with optimizing for production speed.
Therefore, if you have little to no experience in software development, consider asking others for help. AIS Technolabs will be happy to help you.
James Johnson
James Johnson is a seasoned content writer for a top-tier technical blog, where he delves into the intricacies of cutting-edge technologies. With a flair for simplifying complex concepts, he engages readers with informative and accessible content. His expertise lies in translating technical jargon into captivating narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.