HTTP Public Key Pinning vs HSTS

Developers should learn HPKP to understand historical web security practices and the evolution of certificate validation, as it was used to mitigate risks from compromised Certificate Authorities meets developers should implement hsts on production websites to enforce https usage, mitigate ssl stripping attacks, and enhance overall security for user data. Here's our take.

HTTP Public Key Pinning

Nice Pick

Developers should learn HPKP to understand historical web security practices and the evolution of certificate validation, as it was used to mitigate risks from compromised Certificate Authorities

Pros

• It's relevant for security audits, legacy system maintenance, or studying alternatives like Certificate Transparency and Expect-CT headers, which address similar threats without HPKP's operational hazards
• Related to: tls, https

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

HSTS

Developers should implement HSTS on production websites to enforce HTTPS usage, mitigate SSL stripping attacks, and enhance overall security for user data

Pros

• It is particularly crucial for sites handling sensitive information like login credentials, financial transactions, or personal data, as it ensures encrypted communication by default and reduces the risk of session hijacking
• Related to: https, ssl-tls

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use HTTP Public Key Pinning if: You want it's relevant for security audits, legacy system maintenance, or studying alternatives like certificate transparency and expect-ct headers, which address similar threats without hpkp's operational hazards and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use HSTS if: You prioritize it is particularly crucial for sites handling sensitive information like login credentials, financial transactions, or personal data, as it ensures encrypted communication by default and reduces the risk of session hijacking over what HTTP Public Key Pinning offers.

The Bottom Line

HTTP Public Key Pinning wins

Developers should learn HPKP to understand historical web security practices and the evolution of certificate validation, as it was used to mitigate risks from compromised Certificate Authorities