Although Java development is commonly used, it still has security vulnerabilities. That is why, along with writing great code, developers must also focus on Java security. Otherwise, there is no use in making a great app only for it to be vulnerable to hackers.
In this article, we will discuss best practices for preventing Java security issues.
Best Java Security Practices
Using Query Parameterization to Prevent Injection
SQL injection is one of the top vulnerabilities in Java applications. During SQL injection in Java, developers add SQL query parameters to the part of the query that stays the same. Hackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
To avoid these kinds of Java security issues, developers should use a prepared statement to parameterize the queries. This should be the only method of creating database queries. By writing out the whole SQL code and then giving the arguments to the query later, the code is easy to understand.
Most significantly, hackers cannot corrupt the query with dangerous input since the SQL code and parameter data remain separate.
Scanning the Application for Vulnerabilities
You may not be aware of how many direct dependencies your app has. There may also be open dependencies that your app makes use of. Attackers are increasingly focusing on open-source dependencies. That is one of the most common Java security issues.
That is because the reuse of open-source dependencies offers hackers many victims. So, it's very important to make sure that there are no known Java security flaws in the whole dependency tree of your application.
You must hire Java developers who can examine your application's build data. They must also identify any dependencies that are known to be vulnerable. Finally, it generates a list of Java security vulnerabilities in the packages you're using as a dashboard in your application.
Careful with Sensitive Data
It's risky to expose your client's sensitive information. It might be dangerous for them, but it will definitely damage your brand. That is why you must employ a verified Java application development services provider.
So, you need to look at the architecture of your application to see if the data is really necessary. Also, be sure you're not exposing any critical information.
If you need to transfer sensitive information to other services, encrypt it appropriately. To do this, you can use Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) to safeguard your connection.
Cleaning Input Data
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a well-known vulnerability most commonly seen in JavaScript applications. Unfortunately, this is something that Java isn't immune to. XSS is a JavaScript code injection that hackers run from a remote location.
Always put untrusted data only in approved areas to avoid XSS. The most basic solution to this Java security problem is to avoid using untrusted data as much as possible.
The Java encoding library from the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) can be used to clean the incoming data. This is one of the most useful Java software development services. Sometimes developers fail to sanitize the paths of zipped files.
This causes several libraries to have a zip-slip vulnerability. Hackers can extract the zip files and overwrite other files. Although this is not an XSS attack, it demonstrates the need for sanitizing all input. Every input has the potential to be harmful. That is why your Java web application development company should sanitize it.
Using Strong Encryption
If you need to keep sensitive information on your system, you must ensure that it is encrypted properly. Firstly, you must decide whether you want symmetric or asymmetric encryption. You must also decide how secure it should be. Stronger encryption takes longer and uses more CPU power.
The most important thing is that you don't have to figure out how to use encryption yourself. Encryption is difficult, but a trustworthy library can solve it for you. The Java website development agency that you hire must know how to implement it.
For example, if you wish to encrypt credit card information, you'll have to use a symmetric technique. That is because you need to be able to recover the original number. There's no need to go into low-level Java cryptography to encrypt and decrypt. You can choose a library that will do all the work for you.
Since you don't need to get back to the original passwords, you can use a strong cryptographic hashing method. This is one of the other Java website development services that you will find beneficial.
What is thought of as a strong encryption algorithm right now might be seen as weak in the future. As a result, developers should check the encryption frequently. For this, they must use validated security libraries and keep them updated.
In Conclusion
Implementing safety practices is the best way to make sure that hackers don’t harm your app. However, you need a reputable Java development company to apply them effectively. Our developers have worked with Java long enough to understand every known vulnerability. Contact us today if you want to make a secure and functional Java app.