As a Web Developer at NetCraft Solutions, I have been actively involved in the development and maintenance of secure web applications using PHP. One significant project involved a major security overhaul of a client's PHP-based application, which had previously been compromised.
We carried out several key actions to ensure the robustness of the application’s security. We implemented prepared statements to protect against SQL injection attacks, used htaccess files to restrict access to sensitive files and directories, and ensured the use of secure hash algorithms for password storage. We also used the PHP filter extension to validate and sanitize user inputs, limiting the risk of XSS exploits.
After implementing these measures, the application’s security improved markedly, passing penetration testing with no critical vulnerabilities. This demonstrates that even though PHP has reputation weaknesses concerning security, appropriate coding practices and careful usage of its features can create secure web applications.