Startups move fast. Security moves slow. That tension creates vulnerabilities.
Here are the 5 mistakes we see in almost every startup security audit — and how to fix each one in under a day.
The problem: Your Stripe key, database password, or API token is sitting in your source code. Anyone with repo access (or a leaked .git directory) has your keys.
The fix: Use environment variables. Every framework supports them. Django has django-environ, Node has dotenv. Move secrets to .env, add .env to .gitignore. Takes 20 minutes.
The problem: Your login endpoint, API, and contact form accept unlimited requests. An attacker can brute-force passwords or DDoS you with a simple script.
The fix: Add rate limiting. Django has django-ratelimit, Express has express-rate-limit. Set login to 5 attempts per minute, API to 60 requests per minute. Takes 30 minutes.
The problem: If you're building SQL strings with user input, you're vulnerable. Even one raw query in a codebase of parameterized queries is enough.
The fix: Use your ORM. Django's ORM, SQLAlchemy, Prisma — they all parameterize by default. Grep your codebase for raw SQL and replace it. If you must use raw queries, use parameterized versions.
The problem: Your site works on HTTP and HTTPS. Users on HTTP are sending data (including cookies and form submissions) in plain text.
The fix: Force HTTPS everywhere. In Django: SECURE_SSL_REDIRECT = True. In your reverse proxy (Nginx, Cloudflare): redirect all HTTP to HTTPS. Your hosting provider (Railway, Render) usually handles SSL certificates automatically.
The problem: Your Django admin, phpMyAdmin, or database dashboard is accessible at the default URL. Attackers scan for these automatically.
The fix: Change the URL. Instead of /admin/, use /manage-xyz123/ or put it behind a VPN. Add 2FA with django-otp. Restrict access by IP if possible.
None of these fixes require a security team or expensive tools. They require awareness and an afternoon of work. Fix them now before a breach forces you to.
Need a full security audit? We do them at Altitudz — penetration testing, secure code review, and compliance hardening. Reach out at [email protected].