How do you secure a REST API built with Django or Flask (e.g., authentication, rate limiting)?
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Securing a REST API built with Django or Flask involves multiple layers of protection to prevent unauthorized access, abuse, and data leaks. Below are the core security measures including authentication, authorization, and rate limiting, applicable to both frameworks:
1. Authentication & Authorization
Ensure only trusted users or applications can access the API.
In Django (using Django REST Framework - DRF):
Token Authentication
python
rest_framework.authentication import TokenAuthentication
from rest_framework.permissions import IsAuthenticated
class MyView(APIView):
authentication_classes = [TokenAuthentication]
permission_classes = [IsAuthenticated]
JWT Authentication (via djangorestframework-simplejwt)
bash
all djangorestframework-simplejwt
python
from rest_framework_simplejwt.authentication import JWTAuthentication
class MyView(APIView):
authentication_classes = [JWTAuthentication]
In Flask:
Flask-JWT-Extended for JWT
bash
pip install Flask-JWT-Extended
python
from flask_jwt_extended import jwt_required
@app.route('/protected')
@jwt_required()
def protected():
return jsonify(message="Protected route")
2. Role-based Access Control (RBAC)
Restrict actions based on user roles (admin, user, etc.).
In Django, customize permission_classes.
In Flask, manually check roles or use Flask-Principal.
3. Rate Limiting
Prevent abuse and DoS attacks by limiting the number of requests per client/IP.
Django:
Use django-ratelimit
bash
from ratelimit.decorators import ratelimit
@ratelimit(key='ip', rate='5/m', method='GET', block=True)
def my_view(request):
...
Flask:
Use Flask-Limiter
bash
pip install Flask-Limiter
python
from flask_limiter import Limiter
from flask_limiter.util import get_remote_address
limiter = Limiter(get_remote_address, app=app)
@app.route("/api")
@limiter.limit("10 per minute")
def api():
return "Rate limited API"
4. HTTPS Enforcement
Always use HTTPS in production (use HSTS headers).
Configure reverse proxy (e.g., Nginx) or Flask's app.config['PREFERRED_URL_SCHEME'] = 'https'.
5. CORS Protection
Limit who can access your API.
Django: django-cors-headers
Flask: flask-cors
bash
pip install django-cors-headers
# or
pip install flask-cors
6. Input Validation & CSRF Protection
Use serializers (DRF) or marshmallow for input validation.
APIs typically don’t use CSRF tokens unless used with browsers.
7. Additional Security Tips
Sanitize data to prevent SQL injection or XSS.
Disable debug mode in production.
Regularly update dependencies.
Read more
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