Pouline Su
Week 7 Writing Assignment
4/22/2022
Web developers should take several precautions when working with web
forms on a website to ensure the security, functionality, and usability of the
forms. According to Bob Ertl, Sr. Director of Product Marketing at Kiteworks,
an industry leader in providing private content networks. “Web forms are an
effective way to capture user data, users assume the organization asking for
information will keep that information safe, secure, and private” (Ertl, 2023).
Here are some key precautions a Web developer should employ as best
practices for any web-based form. Input validation, validate all user inputs on
both the client and server sides to ensure that they meet the expected
format and constraints. This helps prevent malicious input and reduces the
likelihood of errors. Deploy escape user input to ensure proper escaping
mechanisms to prevent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. This involves
encoding user input before displaying it on a webpage to prevent the
execution of malicious scripts.
Employ HTTPS to encrypt data transmitted between the user's browser and
the server. This helps protect sensitive information such as login credentials
and personal details from being intercepted by attackers. Lastly, implement
strong user authentication mechanisms and ensure that users have the
appropriate authorization levels for the actions they perform on the website.
By incorporating these precautions into web form development practices,
developers can significantly enhance the security and reliability of their web
applications. Staying regularly informed about the latest security best
practices is also crucial in the ever-evolving landscape of web development.
Resources:
Ertl, B. (2023, October 9).
Best practices for web form security
. Kiteworks.
https://www.kiteworks.com/regulatory-compliance/web-form-security/
