Modern-day developers use a wide variety of web application development tools such as PHP, Java, ASP.NET, etc. However, today PHP has become the most popular and obvious choice of every developer because of its dynamics, availability, and simplicity. But nothing is perfect, even the best of the best-programmed sites, web application, software, even the whole desktop environment are vulnerable against a skilled hacker.
With PHP Application Development tool, you can certainly create the most attractive, interactive and user-friendly websites and application. However, when it comes to security, there is very less these PHP web application development tools can do. You need to act manually in order to protect your website from malicious hackers and attackers. You should take measures and at least have basic knowledge of each type of attack so that you can prevent them from happening in the near future.
So, if you are a PHP developer or PHP application user then here is something you can’t miss reading. Carry on reading as we are going to discuss some awesome security tips for a PHP application.
1. Cross Site Scripting
To simply define cross-site scripting is a vulnerability of computer especially web application. XSS enables hackers to inject a client-side script or a piece of code into someone’s website original code. With this, hackers are able to bypass access control. The hackers send this bugged code to the user output. This type of attack usually occurs on the application that allows or ask the user for information input.
Cross-site scripting is a very dangerous attack every PHP developer must be aware of. With the full access to the browser, the hacker can peek into your browser cookies, session, history, and other important personal and sensitive information. As a developer, it is a responsibility to protect your website from such attacks. So you can either make use HTML special chars or ENT_QUOTES to figure out these types of attacks. So be safe and protect your private information.
2. CSRF (Cross Site Request Forgery)
Cross-site request forgery is quite different from the cross-site scripting. This attack can really do greater damage to your website than cross-site scripting. With this attack, a hacker gets access to any authenticated website and is able to perform illegal actions. For instance, just by changing the values of two lines of code a hacker will be able to deflect money transfer to some accounts to his. If you consider the seriousness of this attack, then this attack can literally leave with no money for all we know.
However, there is a cache to this attack the hacker cannot initiate any process. The initiation has to be done by you, however, you will never know how when you did it. The tame the URLs code to make the users execute unknowing commands without their knowledge. So if you are smart enough to identify these infected links and URLs then so are safe.
3. Hide Files
One the major problem that occurs with most of the developers is that they keep their controller, structure, configuration files inside the special directory that is meant for the placement of files properly. You must have already observed this type of special directories in the micro-frameworks of PHP. We highly recommend you not to keep your files inside these directories as most of the time the browser is not able to process all of these files. So are visible inside the browser which makes you application highly vulnerable to attacks.
4. Use SSL (Secure Socket Layer)
Hypertext transfer protocols secure is used for the transfer of document and files over the internet. All the major players such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc uses HTTPS for secure transfers. You can including HTTPS by installing SSL certificates to your website. It will protect your data against XSS attacks as well and also protect your data while transferring. SSL encrypts your data before sending it out in the form of data packets. So no one will be able to access and even if they did they won’t be able to decrypt it.
5. Web Hosting
Well if you are thinking that you have taken every measure to ensure the safety of the website and keeping this in ming upload it on local servers. Then my friend you are in for a surprise. Never go for local hosting services. We would recommend you AWS as it way faster, better and secure.
6. Timely PHP updates
The older technology you use the more vulnerable you are. It is important that you regularly update your PHP frameworks and environments. Every time you update PHP you will be working in a better improved and secure environment.
