Learn how to secure your code with open source libraries by following six best practices and tools. Improve the security and quality of your programming projects.

Always look for libraries that are well-maintained and not deprecated or abandoned, as they might have security issues. Something else that I always look for is documentation; if a library is not well documented, then to me, this is a no-no as it screams poor maintenance. Finally, if you work for a big company, every library you bring, or recommend has to be approved, so doing a thorough review is critical before suggesting it, as you don't want to appear reckless.

Continuous monitoring of your OSS libraries is very important because there might not be a known library at time you integrate that in your project, but might be discovered at a later point of time. Another case is when the there are vulnerabilities in transitive(indirect) dependencies, which may not be visible directly. To enable this SCA (Software component analysis), integrate tools like Snyk.io , Black Duck etc. in your development/CI-CD workflows for regular monitoring of compliance and vulnerabilities.

How can you secure your code with open source libraries?

Using open source libraries can help you save time, improve performance, and add functionality to your code. However, they can also introduce security risks if you don't take the necessary precautions. In this article, you'll learn how to secure your code with open source libraries by following some best practices and tools.

1 Choose reputable libraries

The first step to secure your code with open source libraries is to choose them wisely. You should look for libraries that have a large and active community, a clear license, a good documentation, and a regular update cycle. You should also check the library's ratings, reviews, and feedback from other developers. Avoid libraries that are outdated, poorly maintained, or have known vulnerabilities.

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Madona S. Wambua
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Always look for libraries that are well-maintained and not deprecated or abandoned, as they might have security issues. Something else that I always look for is documentation; if a library is not well documented, then to me, this is a no-no as it screams poor maintenance. Finally, if you work for a big company, every library you bring, or recommend has to be approved, so doing a thorough review is critical before suggesting it, as you don't want to appear reckless.

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Nav Singh

Sr Android Dev | GDE-Android | GDG-Organizer | Mentor | Speaker | Grammarly Ambassador | Tech ✍️
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As an Android Engineer, I would recommend to other Android Engineers to check the Google play sdk index to find the well maintained libraries. It lists all the healthy sdks used by many apps.

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2 Scan for vulnerabilities

The second step to secure your code with open source libraries is to scan them for vulnerabilities. You can use tools like Snyk, Dependabot, or NPM Audit to automatically detect and fix security issues in your dependencies. These tools can also alert you when new vulnerabilities are discovered or when updates are available. You should run these scans regularly and before deploying your code to production.

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Manohar Grandhi

Get rid of Insomnia forever in 45 days with the Insomnia Switch-Off Method™️.I help IT professionals to sleep well and stay on top of their game. Talk to me if you want freedom from Insomnia. Author "My Sleepless Nights”
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One of the tools that our organization uses is called Synopsys Detect. This has a very good database of all the Open Source components and gives the possible issues that you could overcome.

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3 Isolate and sandbox

The third step to secure your code with open source libraries is to isolate and sandbox them. You should limit the access and permissions of the libraries to the minimum necessary for their functionality. You can use techniques like containers, virtual machines, or namespaces to isolate the libraries from your core code and from each other. You can also use sandboxes to restrict the actions and resources that the libraries can use or modify.

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4 Monitor and audit

The fourth step to secure your code with open source libraries is to monitor and audit them. You should keep track of the libraries that you use, their versions, their licenses, and their dependencies. You can use tools like FOSSA, Black Duck, or License Finder to manage and audit your open source inventory. You should also monitor the behavior and performance of the libraries in your code, and look for any anomalies or signs of compromise.

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Swaraj Pal

Sr. Software Engineer @ Atlassian | Microservices | Java | Spring | Azure & Google Cloud Certified
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Continuous monitoring of your OSS libraries is very important because there might not be a known library at time you integrate that in your project, but might be discovered at a later point of time. Another case is when the there are vulnerabilities in transitive(indirect) dependencies, which may not be visible directly. To enable this SCA (Software component analysis), integrate tools like Snyk.io , Black Duck etc. in your development/CI-CD workflows for regular monitoring of compliance and vulnerabilities.

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5 Test and review

The fifth step to secure your code with open source libraries is to test and review them. You should write unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests for your code that use the libraries, and run them frequently and thoroughly. You should also review the code of the libraries that you use, or at least the parts that are critical or sensitive for your application. You can use tools like CodeQL, SonarQube, or Codacy to analyze and improve the quality and security of your code.

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6 Learn and update

The sixth and final step to secure your code with open source libraries is to learn and update. You should stay informed about the latest security trends and challenges in the open source world, and follow the best practices and recommendations from the experts and the community. You should also update your libraries regularly, and replace them if they become obsolete, unsupported, or incompatible with your code.

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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?

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Abhaya Basnet

Software Engineer @ Walker Sands | M.S. Artificial Intelligence @ DePaul University
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Minimizing the attack surface is essential in developing secure software. Using only libraries that are essential, and implementing CI/CD pipelines that scan, identify, and report vulnerabilities can minimize security issues.

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How can you secure your code with open source libraries?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Choose reputable libraries

2 Scan for vulnerabilities

3 Isolate and sandbox

4 Monitor and audit

5 Test and review

6 Learn and update

7 Here’s what else to consider

Programming

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How can you secure your code with open source libraries?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Choose reputable libraries

2 Scan for vulnerabilities

3 Isolate and sandbox

4 Monitor and audit

5 Test and review

6 Learn and update

7 Here’s what else to consider

Programming

Rate this article

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