Security Checklist for Full Stack Developers

Building Secure Production ApplicationsSecuring web applications is a continuous process that should be integrated from the first line of code. A single vulnerability can expose database credentials or compromise user data. Here is the checklist we follow for security.---1. Secure Authentication & Tokens* HTTP-Only Cookies: Never store JSON Web Tokens (JWT) in local storage where they are vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). Keep them in secure, HTTP-only cookies.* Token Expiry & Rotation: Set short expiry windows (e.g., 15 minutes) for access tokens, and implement secure refresh tokens.---2. Guarding Against CSRF & Injection* Input Sanitization: Avoid raw database queries that open pathways for SQL injection. Use ORMs with parameterized inputs.* Content Security Policy (CSP): Declare strict CSP headers to control where scripts can be fetched and executed: http Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' https://apis.google.com; * Rate Limiting: Implement API rate limiters using Redis to prevent brute force login attempts and DDoS attacks.Following these practices ensures your enterprise systems are resilient and compliant with modern data protection regulations.