Cybersecurity 101

I spent years as a Software Engineer before starting my MSc in Cybersecurity. The biggest lesson? Most devs write functional code that is a "welcome mat" for hackers.

Here are 3 common mistakes that are probably sitting in your repo right now: 🧵

1. Hardcoding Secrets: It sounds obvious, but "temporary" API keys in source code often become permanent.

The Fix: Use environment variables or a dedicated Secret Manager from day one. Don't let a .env file leak into your public GitHub.

1. Trusting User Input: If you aren't sanitizing every string that hits your database, you’re asking for an SQL injection.

The Fix: Use parameterized queries. Never "stitch" strings together to build a query. 🛡️

1. The "It’s Just a Side Project" Mentality: Hackers don't care if your app has 10 users or 10,000. Vulnerabilities are automated—bots find them before you even finish your coffee.

Which one are you most guilty of? Let's discuss. 👇