What are CSRF attacks and how can I prevent them?

What are CSRF attacks and how can I prevent them?

CSRF stands for Cross-Site Request Forgery. It's a type of attack that tricks the user into executing unwanted actions on a web application where they're authenticated. To prevent CSRF attacks, you can implement anti-CSRF tokens, use the SameSite cookie attribute, and ensure that sensitive actions require re-authentication.

Can you explain how anti-CSRF tokens work?

Anti-CSRF tokens are unique, secret values generated by the server and sent to the client. When the client submits a form, the token is included. The server then verifies the token to ensure the request is legitimate and originated from the authenticated user.

What are some common signs that a CSRF attack is happening?

Common signs include unexpected actions being performed on your account, such as changes to your profile or unauthorized transactions. Monitoring logs for unusual activity can also help detect potential CSRF attacks.

Are there any tools to help prevent CSRF attacks?

Yes, many web frameworks provide built-in support for CSRF protection, such as Django, Ruby on Rails, and Express.js. Additionally, security tools like OWASP ZAP can help identify vulnerabilities in your application.