For building backend APIs and web applications, NodeJS has proven to be one of the best frameworks for runtime JavaScript code bases. Since it is asynchronous, developers have the leverage to develop innovative software solutions with nonblocking events running on a single thread.
Although NodeJS comes with an array of advanced features, there is always a question of security and privacy when considering applications interacting directly with the users. Several cyber crimes and hacking cases have been reported in the last couple of years. In addition, with the increasing pace of digitalization, online safety has become a major concern for many businesses and organizations.
Therefore, if you hire remote NodeJS developers, you should ensure they know the top security practices for making the applications more secure and safer. This article will walk you through the major ways you can implement security in the note application.
Validate SQL Injection Query
In most NodeJS applications, the user sends a request as a database query from the front end to the back end DB. Usually, no validation is used to verify if the query sent to the database from the front end has any malicious content or not.
A hacker can easily manipulate the data in a query and send a command that can wipe out the entire database or clone the tables to get free access to all data.
The best way to prevent such kind of SQL injection query is to validate the user input from the front end. Several types of databases exist where built-in validation is already present to ensure hackers cannot get entry to the server and the on-site database through injection queries.
Prevents XSS Attacks
In a cross-site scripting attack, hackers use JavaScript code to gain access to the main code base of the application and the database. When the person includes the JavaScript code inside a database query, it is executed without restriction.
As a result, unintentional functions are performed on the application that might cause it to shut down completely or allow the hacker to have unhindered access to store user data and sensitive information.
Like SQL injection, the cross-site scripting attack can be prevented by implementing front-end query validation. You should not allow the use of any random database for NodeJS applications as it won’t be able to verify the input and block it if any JavaScript code is presently encoded within the query.
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Implementation of a Strong Authentication Layer
Suppose the NodeJS application collects user-sensitive data and stores it in an on-site or cloud server. In that case, it is crucial to ensure you hire NodeJS developers who understand encryption and authentication.
There are several ways of securing an application through multiple layers of authentication. Usually, applications have a simple login or sign-up portal with a user ID and password. These details are easy to hack and therefore don’t provide the ultimate security.
You can implement authentication processes like Okta or auth indicated to ensure the application is fully secured. This will generate a push notification on the mobile either as a confirmation message or a one-time password.
Either way, only the user can access the application because, without the password or the confirmation, the application won’t allow any other person access.
Practical Error Handling Logic
Sometimes, errors are encountered when a code is executed, or an API is run. When you check the log from the back end, you get the full stack dress of the defect, comprising the packages, path, process services, line numbers, functions, and so on where the error has occurred. These information pieces are necessary for a developer to take the debug and check the root cause.
However, it is not of any use to a user. Therefore, when you apply logic in the code for error handling, ensure the error message is abstracted, and only a certain portion is shown to the users.
Similarly, ensure you wrap all the routes to prevent the application from crashing if it encounters any error from the front-end requests. As a result, hackers won’t be able to send any request that can cause your application to shut down completely.
Schedule Automatic Scanning For Vulnerabilities
The NodeJS platform comes with hundreds of built-in libraries and code snippets. You include them in your code base to reduce effort and time because you don’t have to write everything from scratch.
However, there is one problem in terms of security. As the library packages and functions were coded by someone else, you don’t have the guarantee that they are completely secured and won’t open a back door for the hackers.
This is why scheduling automatic scans for code vulnerabilities is crucial when dealing with NodeJS applications. The testing will provide a detailed insight into the app’s health, letting you know if there is any vulnerability in the code which can allow easy access to the hackers.
In addition, you won’t have to wait for a data breach to understand whether any back door is open in the encryption layers or not.
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Implement The Use of Security Linters
Security linters are almost like error catchers you can implement during code development. For example, when you write a syntax wrong, the NodeJS framework instantly notifies you about the error. This way, you don’t have to wait for the compilation to happen to identify where the error is and understand the root cause.
Similarly, instead of waiting for the scheduled automatic vulnerability scan to run, you can take the security to the next level by implementing linters. These filters notify you about any erroneous or unsafe code used during the development. As a result, you can easily remove or modify that block to make the statements safer and less vulnerable to attacks.
Make the Configuration Files Transparent
When you hire remote NodeJS developers, you should ensure they have complete knowledge about configuration files and their safety. These files have details about how you configured the application, the orchestrated workflow, integration details, environment data, source code, and so on.
In most cases, developers used to store the configuration files in unsecured repositories. As a result, hackers could easily access these files and know everything about the back end of your application.
Therefore, you should not hide any secrets in the configuration files. Instead, you can implement the concepts of continuous integration and continuous deployment to ensure the coded secrets stored in the config files are integrated properly and deployed regularly.
Orchestrate Production Security For a Node Application
Last but not least, you have to implement appropriate security measures for production. Once the node application is developed, you must release the code to merge with the production environment. Since it interacts with the users upfront, you should put multiple validation layers so that no front-end query or request can trigger any unwanted JavaScript code or database query.
Also, every developer must close all possible backdoors and prevent data leakage. There is nothing like a 100% secure application, but you can achieve 99% security by implementing some of these techniques in the production environment of the node application.
Conclusion
When hiring NodeJS developers, you should know their knowledge concerning the security attacks and vulnerabilities the application can encounter. It will help you secure the code base and source files from the beginning of the development stage. So, the chances of getting an entry into the back-end server or database through the back door will reduce significantly, and your NodeJS application will become safer and more secure.
