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Security Best Practices

Securing your MongoNext application is critical for protecting user data and maintaining trust. Follow these best practices for authentication, session management, and API security.

1. Password Hashing​

  • Always hash passwords before storing them in the database.
  • Use a strong hashing algorithm like bcrypt (NextAuth.js uses bcrypt by default for credentials provider).
  • Never log or expose raw passwords.

2. Session Handling​

  • Use secure, signed cookies or JWTs for session management (NextAuth.js uses JWTs by default).
  • Set NEXTAUTH_SECRET to a strong, random value.
  • Set cookies to HttpOnly and Secure (NextAuth.js does this by default in production).
  • Set appropriate session expiration times.

3. API Security​

  • Protect sensitive API routes using authentication middleware (e.g., getServerSession or useSession).
  • Validate all input on both client and server to prevent injection attacks.
  • Use CSRF protection for forms and API endpoints.
  • Implement rate limiting on authentication and sensitive endpoints.

4. Environment Variables​

  • Never commit secrets or credentials to version control.
  • Use .env.local for local development and set secrets in your deployment platform (e.g., Vercel dashboard) for production.
  • Rotate secrets regularly and update them if you suspect compromise.

5. General Recommendations​

  • Keep all dependencies up to date to patch security vulnerabilities.
  • Use HTTPS in production to encrypt all traffic.
  • Regularly audit user roles and permissions in your admin dashboard.
  • Monitor logs for suspicious activity.

For more information, see the NextAuth.js Security docs and OWASP Top 10.