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API Best Security Practices - 2

The document outlines best security practices for APIs, emphasizing the importance of using HTTPS, strong authentication, and input validation. It also highlights the need for rate limiting, logging, and proper implementation of CORS and content security policies. Regular security testing, API versioning, and keeping dependencies updated are recommended to maintain security integrity.

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monahilfatimastudy
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20 views13 pages

API Best Security Practices - 2

The document outlines best security practices for APIs, emphasizing the importance of using HTTPS, strong authentication, and input validation. It also highlights the need for rate limiting, logging, and proper implementation of CORS and content security policies. Regular security testing, API versioning, and keeping dependencies updated are recommended to maintain security integrity.

Uploaded by

monahilfatimastudy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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We Know Digital

API Best Security


Practices

01
We Know Digital

Use HTTPS Everywhere


Enforce TLS (HTTPS) to encrypt all data in transit.
Redirect HTTP requests to HTTPS automatically.

HTTP
http://www.yoursite.com

Password: abc123

Without password encryption

Hacker see “abc123”

HTTPS
https://www.yoursite.com

Password: abc123

With password encryption

Hacker see “xyzxcsabc”


02
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Use Authentication &


Authorization
Use strong authentication mechanisms:
OAuth 2.0 (for third-party access)
JWT (JSON Web Tokens)
API Keys (less secure, but common)
Enforce scoped permissions and role-based access
control (RBAC).

03
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Validate All Inputs


Sanitize and validate all input data (query
params, headers, body).
Prevent:
SQL Injection
XSS (Cross-site Scripting)
Command Injection

04
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Limit Data Exposure


Never expose internal implementation details.
Use whitelisting for response fields (instead of blacklisting).
Avoid verbose error messages.

05
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Rate Limiting & Throttling


Prevent abuse and DDoS attacks by:
Limiting requests per IP or user
Throttling based on usage tier
Applying time-based limits (e.g., 1000 requests/hour)

06
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Log and Monitor Activity


Log authentication failures, access logs, and error logs.
Monitor suspicious patterns and integrate with SIEM tools.

07
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Use API Gateway


Offload security features like:
Rate limiting
Authentication
IP filtering
Caching
Request logging
Examples: AWS API Gateway, Kong, Apigee, NGINX

08
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Implement CORS Properly


Only allow specific origins, methods, and headers.
Don't use Access-Control-Allow-Origin: * in production
unless public API.

Access-Control

09
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Use Content Security Policies


Prevent malicious requests and script injections.
Set secure HTTP headers (CSP, X-Content-Type-Options, etc.)

https://www.yoursite.com

http://www.yoursite.com

10
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Regular Security Testing


Perform:
Penetration testing
Vulnerability scanning (e.g., OWASP ZAP)
Static code analysis
Follow OWASP API Security Top 10:
https://owasp.org/www-project-api-security

11
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Version Your API


Versioning (e.g., /v1/, /v2/) ensures backward compatibility
and safer transitions.
Avoid breaking changes without notice.

12
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Keep Dependencies Updated


Patch known vulnerabilities in libraries and frameworks.
Use tools like npm audit, Snyk, or Dependabot.

13

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