Summary
HTTP Security Headers protect against malicious attacks from a third party, using cross-scripting attacks otherwise known as XSS attacks. A XSS attack involves injecting code into a trusted website to take over the user's account or redirect the website as a whole to a phishing website.
What is a HTTP Security Header?
An HTTP Security Header aims to prevent XSS vulnerabilities and attacks. Security headers also improve a website’s SEO (find out why SEO is important here), because search engines view the website as more secure and trustworthy. These headers respond to the server to verify it can be trusted, when the browser is first opened. The security header’s main purpose is ensuring that a third party can’t inject malicious code into a website, which could access the user’s information.
What is Cross-Site Scripting?
Cross-Site Scripting or XSS, is the act of injecting malicious code into trusted websites. A XSS attack could see data stolen from the user, impersonation of the user allowing access to their account information, and redirections to phishing sites. There are three different forms of an XSS attack. A persistent XSS attack is taking corrupted information in a form or comment from a third party that changes the server script, which allows the third party to take over the website. A reflected XSS attack involves a third party changing the URL to look real, all while redirecting the user to a phishing website. This can be avoided by only clicking on trusted links. DOM-based attacks involve changing unprotected JavaScript code, which leads to a hacker being able to change the output of a website.
How headers protect.
Security headers ensure, data on a website cannot be changed by third parties. They prevent persistent XSS attacks by containing code that ensures no malicious code can be inserted in a user submission. DOM attacks are prevented with careful JavaScript coding and a Content Security Policy. Security Headers ensure that content remains safe and secure for users and doesn’t allow injections of others code. They should be implemented as a security measure to increase user safety.
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