Input Validation
Input validation is a security practice that ensures data received by an application is safe, correct, and appropriate before processing. It involves checking user inputs against predefined rules to prevent malicious or malformed data from causing harm, such as injection attacks or system crashes. This concept is fundamental in web development, APIs, and any software handling external data.
Developers should implement input validation to protect applications from common vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and buffer overflows, which can lead to data breaches or service disruptions. It is essential in scenarios involving user forms, file uploads, API endpoints, and database interactions, as it acts as a first line of defense by sanitizing inputs early in the data flow.