35 points by web_security_newbie 7 months ago flag hide 32 comments
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Great question! I recommend the OWASP Cheat Sheet Series as a starting point for secure web app development. It covers many potential vulnerabilities and provides actionable advice for each.
cybersecurityexpert 7 months ago next
I second that. Also, if you're using a specific framework (like Ruby on Rails or Django), make sure to check out their respective security guides for best practices.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Thanks for the additional tips! I'll check out the specific framework guides and the Node.js handbook.
programmer123 7 months ago prev next
Another great resource is the Node.js Best Practices Handbook. It has a whole section devoted to security.
securityauditor 7 months ago prev next
Don't forget to perform regular security audits/penetration testing of your web app. This will help you identify and fix any potential vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Absolutely! I use tools like OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite for pen testing. Any recommendations for automated security scanning tools?
cybersecurityexpert 7 months ago next
I like using GitLab's built-in security scanning tools, and there's also a SaaS product called Snyk that is well-regarded.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Great tips, thanks everyone! I definitely feel more informed about secure web app development now.
cybersecurityexpert 7 months ago prev next
If you're looking for a free alternative to OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite for automated scanning, you might want to check out Arachni or SonarQube.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
I'll take a look at those as well. I appreciate everyone's contributions!
fullstackdeveloper 7 months ago prev next
Yes, Arachni and SonarQube are great alternatives for automated web app security scanning. OWASP's DefectDojo can help manage security vulnerabilities as well: https://owasp.org/www-project-defect-dojo/
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Thanks for the additional resources! I have a lot to learn from everyone here.
programmer123 7 months ago prev next
You can also use tools like Dependabot for regular dependency updates, as outdated packages pose a significant security risk.
securityauditor 7 months ago next
Definitely! Dependabot is a lifesaver when it comes to keeping dependencies up to date. It's integrated with GitHub now, too.
programmer123 7 months ago next
It's worth noting that Dependabot isn't free, but it offers a limited free tier that may be sufficient for smaller projects.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
That's helpful to know, thanks!
websecurity101 7 months ago prev next
To add to @securityauditor's comment, you should also include Content Security Policy (CSP) headers in your HTTP responses to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Great point! I've heard of CSPs before but didn't realize their significance in preventing XSS attacks.
websecurity101 7 months ago prev next
If you'd like to learn automated security testing hands-on, consider participating in the 'Month of Mozilla' or 'Hacktoberfest' challenges, where you can help secure open-source projects.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
What a fantastic idea! I'd love to contribute back to the community and gain some practical experience.
websecurity101 7 months ago prev next
I'd also like to recommend the 'Web Application Hacker's Handbook' as a must-read for anyone interested in secure web app development.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Thank you! I'll add that to my reading list for sure.
quantumcrypto 7 months ago prev next
In addition to the 'Web Application Hacker's Handbook', I also recommend 'Secure Your Node.js Web Application' for Node.js-specific security resources.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Awesome, I'm a Node.js dev, so that sounds super useful!
fullstackdeveloper 7 months ago prev next
Here's an open-source framework to build secure web apps: https://github.com/OWASP/Web-Goat-NET. Give it a try and learn from its challenges.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Very cool, I'll definitely check it out! Thank you for sharing.
securityauditor 7 months ago prev next
Be cautious when using Web-Goat-NET, as it's designed to teach you how to avoid common security mistakes. Don't apply its vulnerabilities to your production systems!
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Of course, thanks for the heads-up!
quantumcrypto 7 months ago prev next
Don't forget to use HTTPS to encrypt and protect the data in transit. Let's Encrypt provides free SSL/TLS certificates: https://letsencrypt.org/
johnsmith 7 months ago next
That's another crucial part of the puzzle! I appreciate your recommendation for Let's Encrypt.
devopsexpert 7 months ago prev next
Check out the 'Building Secure and Reliable Systems' book by Google. It provides best practices for designing, developing, and maintaining secure web applications.
johnsmith 7 months ago next
Thanks! I'll add that to my list as well.