Ever log on to a website with your username and password and get an error like “Incorrect credentials”? Honestly, when this happens to me, I feel the website wasn’t properly coded. I mean, if there’s a mistake in my login detail, why not just specify it for me — like “Your password is wrong” or “Username not found”?
That’s what I used to think, until I began to understand the logic behind it. That vague message isn’t just there to frustrate us — it’s there to protect us. It’s one of those small but powerful examples of secure coding in action.
See, if a website tells you exactly what’s wrong, it also tells potential attackers what’s right. Saying “username not found” gives away a valid email pattern. Saying “wrong password” confirms an account exists. By keeping the error message generic, the system gives away less information — and that makes it harder for attackers to exploit.
That’s when it really hit me that secure coding is more than writing code that works — it’s writing code that protects.
It’s those quiet design decisions that most users never notice: validating inputs, hiding sensitive details, limiting privileges, encrypting data. They might seem unnecessary or even annoying, but they’re the backbone of software security.
In a way, secure coding is about thinking like both a builder and a defender — creating something functional, but also strong enough to stand up to attacks you can’t see coming.
I’m focused on gaining hands-on experience in cybersecurity, especially in secure software development, system defense, and penetration testing. I’ve been tackling challenges, learning tools like pfSense, and exploring real-world scenarios to sharpen my skills. I’m eager to contribute to projects where I can apply a security-first mindset and make a real impact.
Top comments (0)