How to Protect Your Xano Build: 5 Essential Tips for No-Code Developers
Implementing Security Best Practices in Your Xano Backend Made Easy
Brief Introduction to API Security and Xano
Xano's no-code platform makes API development accessible, but with great power comes the need for robust security. Whether you're building a simple application or a complex platform with user data and payment processing, implementing proper security measures is crucial. Many no-code developers overlook these essential security practices, potentially exposing their applications to unnecessary risks.
This article explains how to implement five fundamental security measures for your Xano APIs, enabling you to protect your application without getting overwhelmed by complex security concepts.
1. Add Request Source Validation
Set up a pre-condition in your API function stack to check where requests come from. Use $http_headers.Referer to control which domains/sources can access your API. You can make this into a middleware or function and reuse it across different endpoints. When a request comes from an unauthorized source, it automatically gets blocked.
2. Set Up Proper Webhook Security
When using services like Stripe for payments, you must verify that incoming webhooks are legitimate. Xano recommends using signature verification for webhooks. You can also create your own custom HTTP header authorization. This ensures that only authorized services can trigger your webhook endpoints.
3. Turn Off Auto-Created APIs
Xano automatically creates CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) APIs when you make a new database. While this is convenient during development, it can leave your data exposed. Make sure to disable this auto-creation feature when setting up new database tables. You can always create specific, secure endpoints later when you need them.
4. Protect Your API Documentation
Xano uses Swagger for API documentation. For sensitive APIs that handle user data or payments, put this documentation behind authentication. Even though it might seem like a small detail, hiding your API documentation from public view helps prevent potential security issues.
5. Use UUIDs Instead of Simple Numbers
For user tables or tables containing sensitive data, avoid using simple sequential numbers as IDs. Instead, use UUIDs. These are much harder to guess than regular numbers, which adds an extra layer of security to your user data.
Additional Security Considerations
Consider adding your own encryption for API data inputs, even though Xano already handles basic encryption
Use the Statechange’s Chrome extension to check for potential security problems in your APIs and functions.
Key Takeaway
Security is an ongoing process, not a one-time setup. Start with these basic steps and keep updating your security measures as your application grows. Remember, it's much easier to implement security features from the start than to add them after problems occur.
Make these security practices part of your regular development routine, and you'll have a much more secure application with minimal extra effort.