📚 Topic Summary
API (Application Programming Interface) security is crucial in web design and development, especially when dealing with sensitive user data. APIs allow different software systems to communicate and share data. Without proper security measures, APIs can become vulnerable to attacks, leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, and other security risks. This worksheet introduces fundamental concepts and practices for securing APIs in high school web design and development courses.
🔑 Part A: Vocabulary
Match each term with its definition:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Authentication |
A. An attack that floods a system with traffic. |
| 2. Authorization |
B. Verifying the identity of a user or application. |
| 3. Encryption |
C. The process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access. |
| 4. DDoS Attack |
D. Determining what a user or application is allowed to access. |
| 5. API Key |
E. A unique identifier used to authenticate requests to an API. |
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct words:
To secure your API, always use ________ to protect sensitive data during transmission. ________ ensures that only verified users can access the API. Rate ________ limits the number of requests from a single user to prevent abuse. Always validate ________ to prevent injection attacks. Use ________ to manage and control access to your API.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Why is API security important in web development, and what are some potential consequences of neglecting it?