What is Django?

Django is a powerful, versatile, and free web framework. Django lets you build high-performance web applications quickly. With Django, there’s no need to worry about the backend; it’s all set up for you. Django is perfect for building large-scale, high-traffic web apps. It’s flexible and powerful, meaning that the framework can handle the most complex of projects. For an app that needs to handle heavy traffic, Django is your best bet.

What we'll cover in this article:

  • Four Urgent Things You Need To Know About Django 4.0
  • 5 Common Security Issues Facing Millions of Websites on the Internet
  • Django’s Security Patches & Feature Updates
  • How To Shore Up Your Organization’s Web Security

Everything You Need To Know About Django 4.0

Django 4.0 has already been released, but it should take you around two minutes to upgrade. It is best practice to upgrade your code to the latest version, even if you don't need the changes, because this ensures bugs are addressed before they can cause problems. It's easier, and worth the time, to upgrade now than it is to do it later.

  1. Python compatibility: Django 4.0 supports Python 3.8, 3.9, and 3.10. We highly recommend and only officially support the latest release of each series.
  2. Crypt password hasher: The new script password hasher is more secure and recommended over PBKDF2
  3. SecurityMiddleware no longer sets the X-XSS-Production header
  4. CSRF-TOKEN: CSRF protection now consults the Origin header, if present.
  5. Malicious URLs have been addressed in recent Django updates.

5 Common Security Issues Facing Millions of Websites on the Internet

From SQL injection to Cross-Site Scripting, these are all major security risks that need to be assessed and fixed. These are three of the most common things that people do that result in them getting hacked or scammed. This includes giving away personal information, not making sure all their passwords are different and clicking on links in emails.

1. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Several web security flaws are worth checking into before you launch your site. One of the most common is cross-site scripting or XSS. This is when a site is injected with some rogue code that allows hackers to gain access. This can come in the form of a small audio file disguised as a video, or a post on a forum that’s linked on the site. You should also be on the lookout for SQL injection and includes buffer overflow.

2. SQL Injections Can Catastrophically Damage Your Enterprise

SQL Injections are a type of code injection that takes advantage of websites that fail to fix security vulnerabilities. They happen when a user inputs information into a website, and the information is then passed as a SQL query. This causes the website to respond to the user with a result as if it were a fully-executed SQL command.

3. Broken Authentication & Session Management

Broken authentication & session management can open your organization up to major issues. These two weaknesses in web programming and website security allow bad actors or hackers to bypass or capture the authentication methods that are used by a web application.

Vulnerabilities include:

  • Predictable login credentials.
  • Session IDs are exposed in the URL (e.g., URL rewriting).
  • Session IDs are vulnerable to session fixation attacks.
  • Session value does not timeout or does not get invalidated after logout.
  • Session IDs are not rotated after successful login.

4. Security Misconfiguration

Security and access control misconfiguration can allow unprecedented access to your backend and enterprise’s IP and files and hackers can sell, disseminate, or delete all of these files at their whim. It is extremely important that you have a Cybersecurity Strategy and Implementation Plan (CSIP) as well as regular web security audits completed by professionals to ensure that your files and intellectual property are safe and secure.

Are you worried about the security of your website and its code? Contact Us for a free consultation.

5. Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

Cross Site Request Forgery is a security vulnerability attack that makes a site serve a login page of a different site. Cross Site Request Forgery is a security vulnerability that is an attack that makes a site serve a login page of a different site. This vulnerability may lead to Password harvesting or cookie theft. However, it can be prevented using gateway protection or using a Web browser extension gateway.

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Django’s New Security Patches & Feature Updates

Django routinely makes patches available to its users addressing critical security issues and adding major (or minor) feature updates.

According to Django’s documentation page, Django 4.0 provides several benefits:

  • New features and improvements are added.
  • Bugs are fixed.
  • Older versions of Django will eventually no longer receive security updates. (see Supported versions).
  • Upgrading as each new Django release is available makes future upgrades less painful by keeping your code base up to date.

Keep in mind: frequent web security audits can help you find peace of mind, Schedule a Call with us for more information on how NextLink Labs can help you secure your website and protect your valuable data.

How To Begin To Shore Up Your Organization’s Web Security

  • Audit & Monitor Your Website
  • Keep Patching Your CMS & Extensions
  • Strengthen Your Passwords
  • Use SSL Encryption
  • Perform Routine Offsite Backups
  • Utilize & Monitor a WAF (Website Application Firewall)

To learn more about web and application security, visit our Insights Blog.

NextLink Labs Will Help You Ensure Compliance

At NextLink Labs, we are committed to serving our clients by consistently finding ways to enhance their cybersecurity and protect them from catastrophic loss.

We encourage companies to #BeCyberSmart year-round. Current cybersecurity threats keep companies on their toes, and they require consistent assessment and prevention measures to combat.

Our expertise allows us to help you build and integrate a cybersecurity strategy and enhance your web security at every level that will allow your organization to ensure that your sensitive data and your clients are protected against even the most complex cyberthreats, SQL injections, and web kits designed to take your business down.

If your company needs help securing your network, lean on our expertise at NextLink Labs. These simple first steps are a must in protecting your valuable data, but if you want to know how we can further enhance cybersecurity at your company, schedule a free call with us today!