Top 5 Security Practices Every Developer Should Follow

Why Security Matters

With data breaches and cyber attacks becoming more common, developers must treat security as a priority from the start.

1. Sanitize User Inputs

Never trust user input. Always validate and sanitize data to prevent attacks like SQL injection and XSS.

2. Use HTTPS

Always encrypt data in transit by serving your site or API over HTTPS. It protects user credentials and private data.

3. Avoid Hardcoding Secrets

Use environment variables for sensitive data like API keys, database credentials, and tokens.

4. Implement Proper Authentication

Use proven libraries for user login and token management. Consider OAuth2 or JWT for API-based authentication.

5. Keep Dependencies Updated

Regularly update your libraries and packages. Old versions may contain known security holes.

Pro Tip: Use tools like npm audit, pip-audit, or OWASP Dependency-Check.

Final Word:

Security isn’t a one-time task — it’s a mindset. Stay alert and always think like an attacker to protect your code.