Security Best Practices

Authentication

Use Django's built-in authentication system for user login, registration, and password management.

• Store passwords securely using Django's default hashing.
• Use multi-factor authentication for sensitive applications.
• Always validate user credentials on the server side.

Authorization

Use Django's permissions and groups to control access to resources and actions.

• Define custom permissions for models and views.
• Use decorators (e.g., @permission_required, @login_required) for access control.

CSRF Protection

Enable CSRF protection for all forms and POST requests using Django's middleware and {% csrf_token %} template tag.

Validation & Sanitization

Always validate and sanitize user input using Django forms and model validators.

• Avoid manual sanitization; rely on built-in validation and escaping in templates.

File Upload Security

• Validate file types, size, and content before saving.
• Store uploads outside web-accessible directories when possible.
• Use unique file names and scan for malware if required.

Best Practices

• Use HTTPS for all production environments.
• Escape output in templates ({{ variable }}) to prevent XSS.
• Regularly update dependencies to patch security vulnerabilities.
• Limit file upload types and validate file size and content.
• Monitor logs and set up alerts for suspicious activity.
• Document security conventions for new team members.