API - What Is API, How to do API Security Testing
Tags: security, apisecurity, pentesting, securityaudit
Published: 2021-09-01 09:50:07

**What is API?**

API stands for application programming interface. It's a set of tools and methods that allow two applications to talk to each other, usually over the internet. API security testing is one way that software companies can improve their product. We will discuss what [API Security Testing](https://www.getastra.com/blog/knowledge-base/api-security-testing/) is, how it works and best practices for successful API testing in this article.

**Why do we need to secure it?**

[Web application security] (https://www.getastra.com/blog/security-audit/web-application-security-testing/) is important to everyone, but it's especially critical for API services. APIs are the public face of an organization and often serve as a way to introduce third-party users or other apps with access to company data. A successful attack on an API can lead to all kinds of trouble including identity theft, fraud, or unauthorized use.

**How do we secure the API?**

The best way to secure the API is by applying security testing to it. There are a variety of ways that companies can test their APIs for vulnerabilities, including penetration tests and fuzzing. Penetration testing in particular involves an automated process where tools like Burp Suite or Zap are used against the API interface itself so as not to. compromise other parts

**What are some of the common mistakes when securing an API and how can they be avoided?**

Some common mistakes when securing an API include not properly encrypting sensitive data, using the same password across all APIs and web applications, or sending passwords in plain text. These can be easily avoided by following industry best practices for testing security like penetration tests which involve various stages of attack to test different vulnerabilities. This process allows companies to see where their

Common threats against APIs and how to protect against them?
Common API threats include SQL injections, cross-site scripting and DDoS attacks. These can be easily avoided with best practices for penetration tests that will allow companies to see where their APIs are vulnerable and provide the opportunity to fix them before a security breach occurs.

**API Security Testing (Steps)**

1. Test for API Input Fuzzing

2. Test for API Injection Attacks

3. Test for Parameter Tampering

4. Test for Unhandled HTTP Methods

API Security Testing (Steps)

- [Penetration testing](https://www.getastra.com/blog/security-audit/penetration-testing/) involves an automated process where tools like Burp Suite or Zap are used against the API interface itself so as not to compromise other parts of the app. 

- The best way to secure APIs is by applying security testing to them. This allows companies see where their APIs are vulnerable and provide the opportunity fix them before a security breach occurs. 

- Some common threats include SQL injections, cross site scripting and DDoS attacks which can be easily avoided with best practices for penetration tests that will allow companies see where they're most exposed and take steps to stop it from happening again in future. - Common mistakes when securing APIs includes using same passwords across all apps, sending passwords in plain

![API Security Testing](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/geh9n86imczfyp33vyin.png)
Image Credit - Astra Security