How do you control and restrict web resources?

1 Use HTTPS and SSL

One of the most basic and essential ways to control and restrict web resources is to use HTTPS and SSL. HTTPS is a protocol that encrypts the communication between the browser and the server, preventing anyone from intercepting or tampering with the data. SSL is a certificate that verifies the identity and authenticity of the server, ensuring that the browser is connecting to the right source. To use HTTPS and SSL, you need to obtain and install a valid SSL certificate on your server, and configure your web server to redirect all HTTP requests to HTTPS.

2 Implement CORS and CSP

Another way to control and restrict web resources is to implement CORS and CSP. CORS stands for Cross-Origin Resource Sharing, and it is a mechanism that allows web browsers to request and access resources from different domains, protocols, or ports. CORS requires the server to send specific headers that indicate which origins, methods, headers, or credentials are allowed or denied. CSP stands for Content Security Policy, and it is a directive that instructs the browser how to handle different types of resources, such as scripts, styles, images, or fonts. CSP requires the server or the HTML document to send a header or a meta tag that specifies which sources, hosts, schemes, or hashes are permitted or forbidden.

3 Use minification and compression

A third way to control and restrict web resources is to use minification and compression. Minification is a process that removes unnecessary or redundant characters from the code, such as whitespace, comments, or formatting. Compression is a process that reduces the size of the files by applying algorithms that eliminate or replace patterns or symbols. Both minification and compression can improve the performance and speed of the web page, as they reduce the amount of data that needs to be transferred and parsed by the browser. To use minification and compression, you can use tools such as UglifyJS, CSSNano, Gzip, or Brotli.

4 Use caching and expiration

A fourth way to control and restrict web resources is to use caching and expiration. Caching is a technique that stores copies of the resources on the browser or the server, so that they can be reused without making new requests. Expiration is a technique that sets a time limit for how long the cached resources are valid, so that they can be refreshed or deleted when they are outdated or obsolete. Both caching and expiration can enhance the performance and efficiency of the web page, as they reduce the number of requests and the bandwidth consumption. To use caching and expiration, you can use headers such as Cache-Control, ETag, or Last-Modified.

5 Use authentication and authorization

A fifth way to control and restrict web resources is to use authentication and authorization. Authentication is a technique that verifies the identity and credentials of the user, such as a username and password, a token, or a biometric. Authorization is a technique that determines the access level and permissions of the user, such as which resources, actions, or roles are allowed or denied. Both authentication and authorization can increase the security and privacy of the web page, as they prevent unauthorized or malicious access to the resources. To use authentication and authorization, you can use protocols such as OAuth, OpenID Connect, or JWT.

6 Use feature detection and fallbacks

A sixth way to control and restrict web resources is to use feature detection and fallbacks. Feature detection is a technique that checks the availability and compatibility of the features or functionalities of the browser, such as APIs, CSS properties, or JavaScript methods. Fallbacks are alternative or backup solutions that provide a similar or degraded experience for the browsers that do not support the features or functionalities. Both feature detection and fallbacks can improve the user experience and accessibility of the web page, as they ensure that the resources are rendered and executed properly across different browsers. To use feature detection and fallbacks, you can use tools such as Modernizr, Polyfills, or Graceful Degradation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?