How to Secure Your .NET Core APIs

Learn best practices for robust web security

Alex Maher
9 min readNov 12, 2023

Hello everyone! I’ve decided to dive deep into the topic of API security in .NET Core, a subject that, admittedly, I often approach last when developing my APIs.

This hesitation usually comes from uncertainty — have I overlooked something crucial? It’s easy to feel like you’re playing catch-up, ensuring every potential vulnerability is covered.

So I decided to break down the whole thing down, making sure even beginners can understand it. Let’s dive in!

Understanding C# .NET Core API Security

Think of APIs as bridges connecting different parts of a web app.

Just like any busy bridge, there’s always a risk of unwanted visitors. In our case, these are hackers who love to exploit any weak spots.

Since C# .NET Core is widely used for building these bridges, it’s super important to guard them.

Common Risks

  • SQL Injection: This is like someone slipping a sneaky note to your database, tricking it into spilling secrets or causing chaos.
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Imagine if someone could put words in your mouth. XSS is similar; hackers can put their own script…

--

--

Alex Maher

.NET C# dev with 10+ yrs exp, self-taught & passionate web developer. Sharing tips & experiences in C# and web dev.