Laravel is one of the most secure PHP frameworks: CSRF protection, prepared statements, automatic escaping in Blade, encrypted cookies. Yet most of the vulnerabilities I find during audits come from application code. Here are ten simple habits that make the difference.

1. Validate every input on the server

JavaScript validation improves the experience, but it protects nothing. Every piece of data reaching the server must go through a validation rule, ideally in a Form Request.

public function rules(): array
{
    return [
        'email' => ['required', 'email:rfc', 'max:190'],
        'website' => ['nullable', 'url:https'],
    ];
}

2. Never trust mass assignment

Declare $fillable explicitly and keep sensitive fields such as role or is_admin out of reach. A field added to the form by an attacker must not be able to change anything.

3. Authorise every action, not just every page

Hiding a button in the view secures nothing. Use Policies and call authorize() in every controller or Livewire component, including bulk actions.

4. Rate-limit attempts

Login, password reset, contact form: anything that can be automated must be limited with RateLimiter.

5. Escape by default

In Blade, use {{ }}. Keep {!! !!} for content you have sanitised yourself.

6. Check the real type of uploaded files

The image and mimes rules inspect the actual file content, not just its extension. Store files outside the public folder when they are private.

7. Keep secrets out of the code

API keys belong in .env, never in Git. And in production: APP_DEBUG=false, no exceptions.

8. Enforce HTTPS and secure cookies

Enable SESSION_SECURE_COOKIE and configure trusted proxies correctly behind a CDN.

9. Log sensitive actions

Logins, deletions, role changes: an activity log helps you understand what happened during an incident.

10. Test your authorisation rules

A test checking that an unauthorised user really gets a 403 error is worth more than a long code review.

Security is not a feature you add at the end: it is a habit you build into every line.

Want an outside look at your application? I run Laravel security audits with a prioritised report and concrete fixes.