Are you a Coder? Do you write great code? Well, that’s not enough; you also need to make sure that your code is secure. Whether you’re building a desktop application, mobile app, or browser extension, it must be secure enough before it is published for a larger audience.
Hackers don’t wait for the launch day. They are always looking for weak spots in code, unsigned apps, or unpatched dependencies. That’s why developers must follow security best practices, not just to protect users, but also to maintain credibility and avoid costly breaches.
Let’s walk through some software security best practices you can follow, from code to deployment.
Sign Your Code (Always)
Unsigned software will trigger security warnings like “Unknown Publisher” when someone installs it. That’s a red flag for your users and a green light for attackers.
This is something Code Signing Certificates can help you with. It digitally signs your executable files or scripts, which verify that the code is from a trusted source.
It will:
- Prevent “Unknown Publisher” warnings
- Build user trust
- Protect software integrity
Use Regularly Updated Dependencies
If you are still using outdated libraries and plugins, then you are inviting hackers. Even a minor bug in an old package will lead to a major vulnerability in your app.
Some Tips:
- npm audit, OWASP Dependency-Check, and Snyk are some good tools
- Automate updates through CI/CD pipelines
- Remove unused dependencies
User Input Validation
Attackers love input fields. Forms, search boxes, and even login screens are potential entry points for SQL injections, XSS attacks, and other exploits.
To defend against these:
- Never trust user input, always validate and sanitize
- Use parameterized queries in databases
- Escape output in HTML to prevent XSS
Remember: input validation is one of the easiest ways to avoid some of the most common attacks.
Use HTTPS and Secure APIs
Using encryption is a must if your app communicates with servers or third-party services. Remember HTTPS, even for internal APIs. Without it, sensitive data like tokens or passwords can be exposed during transmission.
- SSL/TLS certificates
- No hardcoding API keys
- Periodic Rotation of Secrets and Tokens
Also, set proper permissions for each API call.
Secure Storage of Sensitive Data
Storing passwords in plain text? Really?
Use bcrypt, PBKDF2, or Argon2 to hash user passwords. For storing API keys or credentials, use secure vaults like:
- HashiCorp Vault
- Azure Key Vault
- AWS Secrets Manager
Don’t leave your app’s secrets in .env files lying around on shared servers.
Secure the Build & Deployment Process
Security doesn’t stop at writing code. You should also lock down your building and deploy pipelines.
- Use signed Git commits
- Restrict access to CI/CD systems
- Scan builds for malware before release
- Sign all releases with a software publisher certificate
This will ensure that what gets built and shipped is exactly what you want.
Conclusion
If you want users to trust your software, you need to take it seriously at every stage. Software development agencies ensure security is a central pillar behind any development – thoughts echoed by many agencies across the globe including Ronins.
Start with the basics, stay consistent, and gradually grow your security skills. After all, writing secure code isn’t just smart, it’s your responsibility.
