APIs are like the waiters of the internet — taking orders and delivering data. But if left unsecured, they might serve your secrets to hackers too! ๐
Here’s how NOT to let your APIs become your biggest oops moment:
๐ Common API Blunders (AKA how to get hacked 101)
๐ Data Exposure
๐ Unsecured APIs = like tweeting your password. Don’t.
๐ Lack of Encryption
๐ Sending sensitive data without encryption is like whispering secrets on a megaphone. ๐ข
๐ฃ Malicious API Calls
๐ Hackers love APIs too — for injecting bad stuff or crashing your party with DDoS. ๐ฅด
๐ Weak Authentication & Authorization
๐ It's 2025. If you’re not using MFA, you’re basically inviting hackers in with chai. ☕
๐ฆ No Rate Limiting
๐ Unlimited access isn’t generosity — it’s a recipe for a server meltdown. ๐ฅ
๐ชต Improper Error Handling
๐ Detailed error messages = a hacker’s treasure map. ๐บ️
๐ก️ API Security Best Practices (AKA how to sleep better at night)
✅ Secure Authentication
๐ Use OAuth 2.0 / OpenID + MFA. Passwords alone are like one-ply toilet paper — not reliable. ๐ฝ
✅ Authorization Controls
๐ฎ RBAC (Role-Based Access Control): Only give access like you’d give your Netflix password — on a need-to-know basis.
✅ Data Encryption
๐ฆ Encrypt in transit (TLS) and at rest. Protect your data like it’s your grandma’s secret pickle recipe. ๐ฅ
✅ Rate Limiting
⏱️ Set limits before your server decides it needs therapy.
✅ Input Validation
๐ซ Don’t trust user input. Sanitize like your life depends on it. ๐งผ
✅ Error Handling
๐ค Give vague errors to users, spill the details only in logs. Be mysterious — like a tech-savvy Batman. ๐ฆ
๐ข Bottom Line:
Treat your API like your bank account — secure, encrypted, and access-controlled. Unless you like chaos. ๐
Follow me on LinkedIn @itsgovindsingh and on blog govind singh.
Let me know if you want a carousel design or image suggestion to boost post engagement!