What is CSRF and why is it important for web security?

What is CSRF and why is it important for web security?

CSRF stands for Cross-Site Request Forgery. It's a type of attack that tricks a user into executing unwanted actions on a web application where they're authenticated.

How does a CSRF attack work?

In a CSRF attack, the attacker sends a request to a web application on behalf of the user without their consent, often using a malicious link or script.

What are some ways to prevent CSRF attacks?

Common prevention methods include using anti-CSRF tokens, checking the HTTP Referer header, and implementing SameSite cookie attributes.

Why is it crucial to protect against CSRF?

Protecting against CSRF is crucial because it helps maintain user trust and prevents unauthorized actions that could compromise sensitive data.