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🔐 GitHub Community Discussion: Code Security #185976
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Select Topic AreaQuestion Body🧠 Discussion Question #1 (General Security) Title: Body: What security mistakes do you still see frequently in modern codebases? Are these mostly beginner errors, or do experienced developers make them too? What habits or tools help you avoid these mistakes? Looking forward to learning from real-world experiences 🚀 🛡️ Discussion Question #2 (Web & Full-Stack Focus) Title: Body: How do you manage API keys and secrets safely? Do you prefer .env files, GitHub Secrets, Vault, or something else? What’s your strategy to prevent accidental secret leaks? Would love to know best practices from the community 🔑 🧪 Discussion Question #3 (Practical Code Security) Title: Body: Run security scans? Check for exposed secrets? Review dependencies for vulnerabilities? If you have a personal checklist or workflow, please share it 👇 🔍 Discussion Question #4 (Dependencies & Supply Chain) Title: Body: How do you evaluate whether a dependency is safe? Do you regularly run npm audit or similar tools? Have you ever faced a real vulnerability due to a third-party package? Let’s discuss real-world dependency security issues. Title: Body: Input validation? Authentication & authorization? Secure password handling? OWASP Top 10? Explain why you think it’s the most important. 🚀 Bonus: Short & Engaging One-Liner Title: Body: Let’s debate 👀 If you want, I can also: 🔹 Tailor this for React / Node / Python / Java 🔹 Make it beginner-only or advanced 🔹 Create a pinned discussion intro 🔹 Write a security best-practices post for your repo Just say the word 💬🔥 |
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🔐 Answer: What are the most common security mistakes developers still make in 2026? Even in 2026, most security issues don’t come from “hackers being too smart” — they come from basic mistakes repeated at scale. Here are the big ones I still see: 1️⃣ Hardcoding Secrets in Code This is still the #1 mistake. Examples: API keys in frontend JavaScript Database credentials in GitHub repos Tokens committed once and forgotten Why it happens: Fix: Use environment variables GitHub Secrets for CI/CD Rotate keys immediately if leaked 2️⃣ Blind Trust in User Input Developers often assume: “Frontend validation is enough” It’s not. Common issues: SQL Injection XSS Command Injection Fix: Always validate & sanitize on the backend Use parameterized queries Escape output properly 3️⃣ Weak Authentication & Authorization Logic Authentication gets implemented, but authorization is forgotten. Examples: Users accessing other users’ data Admin routes protected only on frontend Missing role checks in APIs Fix: Enforce authorization on the server Follow “least privilege” principle Never trust client-side checks 4️⃣ Ignoring Dependency Vulnerabilities Modern apps depend on hundreds of packages. Common mistake: Fix: Use npm audit, pnpm audit, or yarn audit Enable GitHub Dependabot Avoid unmaintained libraries 5️⃣ Poor Error Handling & Logging Error messages often leak too much info. Examples: Stack traces shown to users Database errors exposed in production Fix: Generic errors for users Detailed logs only on the server Never expose internal paths or secrets 6️⃣ Assuming HTTPS Alone Is “Secure Enough” HTTPS is mandatory, but not enough. Still missing: Rate limiting CSRF protection Secure headers Fix: Add rate limiting Use CSRF tokens Configure security headers (CSP, HSTS, etc.) 7️⃣ Security as an Afterthought Security is often added after features are complete. Better mindset: Security is part of development, not a final step. Fix: Threat-model early Review security in PRs Treat security bugs like production bugs 🧠 Final Take Most security issues are preventable with: Good habits Basic knowledge Consistent reviews You don’t need to be a security expert — just security-aware. |
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🔐 Answer: What are the most common security mistakes developers still make in 2026?
Even in 2026, most security issues don’t come from “hackers being too smart” — they come from basic mistakes repeated at scale. Here are the big ones I still see:
1️⃣ Hardcoding Secrets in Code
This is still the #1 mistake.
Examples:
API keys in frontend JavaScript
Database credentials in GitHub repos
Tokens committed once and forgotten
Why it happens:
Convenience + lack of review.
Fix:
Use environment variables
GitHub Secrets for CI/CD
Rotate keys immediately if leaked
2️⃣ Blind Trust in User Input
Developers often assume:
“Frontend validation is enough”
It’s not.
Common issues:
SQL Injection
XSS
Command …