If you’re a freelance web developer – doesn’t matter if you mostly restrict yourself to visual designs – you have to invest some time in educating yourself properly about the current security trends in web development. The popularity of the Internet has made it an equally popular platform for malicious users who attempt to exploit its vulnerabilities – and as a web developer, it should be among your top priorities to stay in touch with the trends.
This is especially valid for those of you who work on dynamic websites with various scripted elements and database interaction – a small flaw can quickly magnify to become a tremendous hole in your security, and you simply can’t afford to let that happen in the solutions you provide to your clients. There are various courses that aim to teach you the basics of implementing security in your designs, but keep in mind that trends change constantly.
And with that in mind, you should direct your attention towards discussion boards and other places where people actively talk about the latest events in the security world – because in the end, it pays a lot more than reading a book written ten years ago. And it’s also free.
It can be very difficult to find exploits in your own creations, especially when working on more complicated projects with tight deadlines. To this end, it greatly helps to have a friend or two who can help you poke holes in your security. You’d be surprised how easy it is for an outsider to spot the mistakes in your design!