10 Application Security Best Practices To Keep Software Secure From Getting Hacked
Hackers are sneaky and persistent. They find new ways to exploit software every day. The first time a security flaw is discovered, developers scramble to fix it. Then, hackers discover the same flaw again…and again…and again. This doesn’t have to be the norm though. You can develop software that keeps hackers at bay with just the right combination of security practices and principles. You just need to know what they are and how to put them into action in your code. These best practices will not only make your software less prone to attack but also help you anticipate hackers’ next moves so that you can respond quickly when new exploits are discovered. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective application security practices that will keep your software from getting hacked:
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1. Build Security into Your Software from The Beginning
The best way to prevent security issues from ever happening is to build security features into your software as you create it. This means using modern software development practices that minimize the risk of security vulnerabilities. One important practice is to use secure coding standards and use well-vetted third-party libraries wherever possible. Secure coding standards include things like avoiding unnecessary complexity and minimizing branching statements. You should also actively monitor for open source vulnerabilities in the libraries that you use. This can often be done by directly contacting the vendor and requesting that they notify you when new vulnerabilities are discovered and released. When you build security into your software from the start, it’s easier to make modifications to your code as needed to keep your software secure. For example, if you have a feature that requires user authentication, adding that authentication can be a significant undertaking. If, however, you built that authentication into the code from the beginning, adding it later is much easier.
2. Use Modern Software Development Practices
Certain software development practices were developed before the internet existed. Others were developed during a time when attacks on the web were rare. Still others were developed before mobile devices were even a thing. All of those things have changed over time, but some developers have stuck with their old ways. Some examples of outdated software development practices that are bad for application security include storing data on the server that doesn’t belong there, storing data in plain text, and storing sensitive data in the client. Using modern software development practices will help you avoid these pitfalls and make your software more secure. One example is using APIs to store data on your server rather than storing it directly. APIs allow you to store data in one place and track who has access to it. If you store it directly on the server, you have no idea who has access to it. Another practice is storing data in a way that makes it unreadable to humans. This is called hashing and is a technique that makes it impossible for people to read sensitive data.
3. Don’t Disregard User Feedback
As developers, we often have the intuition that what we’re building is the best thing ever. We’re so used to understanding our code that we forget that other people might not have the same level of understanding about it. When people try out your software or visit your website, pay attention to the questions they ask and the feedback they provide. This is your chance to improve. If someone asks where something is or indicates that they don’t understand the purpose of a particular piece of your software, consider adding a tutorial or FAQ to address their confusion. If people indicate that they find something confusing, take steps to make them more aware of what to do. Nobody is expected to just “get it” without guidance.
4. Use a Code Signing Certificate
Code signing Certificate is the advanced way to secure your application/software from being hacked or changed. A Code Signing certificate is using digital signing technology to sign the codes and scripts of your software/app; and also add the digital signature and time stamping. So, once the codes and scripts are signed with a Code Signing certificate, it assures the code is not tampered with, altered, or changed by any other person, attacker or third parties. Even, you will not get any error during the software/app downloading and installation. You can find the Cheap Code Signing Certificate from Comodo and Sectigo over the internet.
5. Use defense In Depth Strategies
Hackers use automated scanning tools to find software flaws and vulnerabilities. They then use those vulnerabilities to gain access to your servers and data. If you can find those vulnerabilities and address them before the hacker does, you can keep your software secure. Using automated tools like Retina (which you can read more about below) can help you find the most common security vulnerabilities in your software. Once you know what needs to be addressed, you can develop and implement a plan to address them. Here are a few ways to improve your software security in-depth: - Use modern software development practices to build security into your code. - Limit the amount of sensitive data that you store. - Disallow users from logging into administrative accounts. - Require strong passwords and enforce two-factor authentication wherever possible. - Assign a high priority to patching and updating software. - Keep all software and operating systems up to date. - Use up-to-date firewall and antivirus software. - Turn on automated scanning of your website for malicious code. - Block suspicious IP addresses.
6. Use modern cryptography: SHA2, AES, and more
Newer cryptographic hash algorithms like SHA2 and SHA3 are more secure than their predecessors. This is particularly important for protecting passwords. You should also adopt modern encryption algorithms like AES-256. If you have the option to use Diffie-Hellman key exchange rather than RSA, you should do so. - Use modern cryptography: SHA2, AES, and more
7. Require user authentication for critical functions
If your software performs any critical functions, such as transferring money between accounts, require your user to log in and provide a valid user ID and password. This is particularly important if your software is accessed through a browser. If your software is accessed through a desktop or mobile app, you should require user authentication for critical functions as well. - Require user authentication for critical functions
8. Use modern authentication mechanisms
Authentication mechanisms have evolved over the years. Passwords are not the most secure way to verify an identity. - Use modern authentication mechanisms
9. Rotate your API keys and constantly monitor for suspicious behavior
If you have any API keys (which you probably do if you offer a web service), you should rotate those keys on a regular basis. You should also be constantly monitoring for suspicious behavior. - Rotate your API keys and constantly monitor for suspicious behavior.
10. Use SSL (HTTPS) By Default
Modern browsers are trying to fight against the use of HTTP by default. This is because HTTP is unencrypted and sends all data in plain text. This makes it easily accessible to anyone with access to the server. If you expect your users to log in, use a credit card, or transmit any private information, you should use HTTPS rather than HTTP. This is the default setting on many webs hosting services, but it’s important to check. One way to do this is to install an SSL certificate on your server. The cost of SSL Certificate is not so high today, you can find Cheap SSL Certificate from Certera, Comodo/Sectigo available over the internet.
Conclusion
Every day, hackers try to find new ways to exploit software and access sensitive data. The first time a security flaw is discovered, developers scramble to fix it. Then, hackers discover the same flaw again…and again…and again. This doesn’t have to be the norm though. You can develop software that keeps hackers at bay with just the right combination of security practices and principles. You just need to know what they are and how to put them into action in your code. This article has provided you with the knowledge and information you need to keep your software secure. Now, it’s up to you to put these best practices into action so that you can keep hackers out of your software.
Welcome to our blog “CYBER SUGGEST“. Debmalya Datta is a professional Blogger, Developer, Social Media Influencer, Digital Marketer and Entrepreneur. He loves doing work which makes him happy, that’s why he choose Blogging and Educate people. You will love exploring educational stuff on our blog. Live your dreams as much as you can. Be a SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTER
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