Preventing SQL Injection in PHP

SQL injection is a common security vulnerability in web applications that can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious SQL queries. To prevent SQL injection in PHP, you can follow these best practices:

• Use Prepared Statements: The focus keyword "SQL injection in PHP" can be prevented by using prepared statements with parameterized queries. Prepared statements sanitize user input and prevent attackers from injecting malicious SQL code.
• Input Validation: Validate user input on the server-side to ensure that only expected data is accepted. Use functions like htmlspecialchars() or mysqli_real_escape_string() to escape special characters.
• Limit Database Privileges: Avoid using database accounts with excessive privileges. Use least privilege principle and grant only necessary permissions to prevent unauthorized access.
• Implement Stored Procedures: Utilize stored procedures in your database to encapsulate SQL logic, reducing the risk of SQL injection attacks.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively protect your PHP application against SQL injection vulnerabilities.