From the Crypt to the Code: Web Security Explored Through Horror Movies

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A cryptic videotape haunting its viewers, a shape-shifting entity haunting a research station, or an astronaut unknowingly carrying an alien onto a spaceship —do these scenarios sound familiar? These horror movie plots share similarities with scenarios in web security you have already encountered.

Join me on a chilling journey through web security as we explore the most common vulnerabilities through the lens of horror movies. From the sinister injection flaws reminiscent of "Alien" to the terrifying specter of broken authentication akin to "Unfriended". But don't worry, we'll also shed light on solutions in web development, turning these security nightmares into tales of triumph. If you dare, join us and learn how to conquer the darkness invited by your web applications.

This talk has been presented at JSNation US 2024, check out the latest edition of this JavaScript Conference.

FAQ

The talk explored the parallels between web security and horror movies, using horror movie scenarios as allegories to explain various security risks and measures.

The first horror movie discussed was 'The Invisible Man,' used as an allegory for broken access control in web security.

'The Invisible Man' was used to illustrate broken access control, where a user can act beyond their permissions, akin to the invisible man operating unseen and unauthorized.

The movie 'Hellraiser' is used as an allegory for cryptographic failures, emphasizing the importance of encrypting sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access.

The movie 'Alien' is used to explain the concept of injection attacks, highlighting the need for input validation and sanitation to prevent unauthorized code execution.

'The Blob' was mentioned as an allegory for dealing with outdated and vulnerable dependencies, emphasizing the importance of keeping software libraries up-to-date.

OWASP stands for Open Worldwide Application Security Project, a group focused on improving web security by identifying and ranking the most critical security risks.

Strategies include denying access by default, using rate limiters, invalidating session identifiers regularly, and implementing access control mechanisms like OpenFGA.

Preventive measures include encrypting all sensitive data, classifying data to identify sensitivity, not caching sensitive responses, and using strong, up-to-date protocols like TLS.

The speaker mentioned enjoying A24 movies, particularly 'Hereditary' and 'Midsommar,' as they prefer psychological horror over splatter or gore films.

Ramona Schwering
Ramona Schwering
28 min
18 Nov, 2024

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Video Summary and Transcription
The Talk explores the parallels between web security and horror movies, highlighting the real-world impact of security issues. OWASP is introduced as a helpful team that ranks security risks. Broken access control is identified as a major risk, and best practices for access control are discussed. Cryptographic failures are compared to the movie Hellraiser, emphasizing the importance of encryption. Surviving security issues involves encrypting sensitive data, input validation, and using secure protocols. Injection attacks and defense strategies are illustrated through the movie Alien. The importance of monitoring and updating dependencies is emphasized. Code testing is crucial for security. Social engineering and favorite horror movies are briefly mentioned. Testing tools and the importance of taking action are highlighted. Overall, the Talk provides valuable insights into web security through the lens of horror movies.
Video transcription and chapters available for users with access.

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