What is XSS and how can I prevent it?

What is XSS and how can I prevent it?

XSS, or Cross-Site Scripting, is a security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. To prevent it, you can sanitize user inputs, use Content Security Policy (CSP), and validate data on the server side.

Can you give me an example of how XSS works?

Sure! Imagine a comment section on a blog where users can post comments. If a user inputs a script tag instead of a regular comment, and the site doesn't sanitize it, that script could run in the browser of anyone who views that comment, potentially stealing their cookies.

What are the different types of XSS?

There are three main types of XSS: Stored XSS, where the malicious script is stored on the server; Reflected XSS, where the script is reflected off a web server; and DOM-based XSS, where the vulnerability exists in the client-side code.

How can I test my website for XSS vulnerabilities?

You can use tools like OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite to scan your website for XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, manual testing by trying to inject scripts can help identify weaknesses.