IT nightmares you can detect with an audit
Published by Femke Steeman
4' reading time
Halloween is almost here, the time of year when we can once again enjoy scares, candy, and surprises. Our developers are usually pretty cool, but some horrors make even them shudder. Believe us: the scariest monsters aren't in movies, but in bad code or a slow application.
We'd like to take you through three of the most common IT nightmares. And we'll show you how to prevent or tackle them with a targeted code-audit or performance-audit
The Spaghetti Monster
This monster appears when an application's source code is unclear, complex, or poorly documented. It's a classic nightmare scenario.
The first red flag is a lack of documentation. Without guidance, it's practically impossible for developers to understand how the code works and what functions it contains.
In addition, hardcoded values are often a culprit. They affect the flexibility and adaptability of your application. In other cases, the logic is so complex and intertwined that we refer to it as spaghetti code. Anyone who wants to make changes then risks unintended side effects in other parts of the system.
With bad code, there are two options. If the code can still be salvaged, we can work towards a better architecture using a phased approach. But sometimes the beast has grown too big. Then rebuilding is the only sustainable solution.
When I checked the application's codebase, it turned out to be a total loss. The only advice I could give was to throw the software in the trash, forget about it, and start over.
The sneaky intruder
During a code audit, we once encountered an application that appeared to be accessible only via a login. However, someone was standing at the door uninvited: it turned out there was an SQL injection in the login form.
SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is a common type of cyberattack in which the attacker adds malicious SQL code to the existing code. This exposes you to unwanted actions: the intruder can view, modify, or delete data from the database. This is therefore a serious security risk.
When such an injection is hidden behind a login form, the impact is significant. User roles can be changed, personal data can be leaked or manipulated... The system is no longer secure.
SQL injections are serious security breaches, but fortunately they are relatively easy to fix if you know where to look. Our experts perform thorough code audits to expose these kinds of vulnerabilities and address them in a timely manner.
During the audit, we found a vulnerability that gave intruders access to the backend. The customer had no idea.
The devilish bailiff
Another classic: public PHP scripts or poorly protected admin pages. This is like leaving the key under the doormat for malicious individuals who want to take over your website.
What can happen? Hackers inject malicious code into your web pages. They steal session data, perform actions on behalf of visitors, or use your server for their own purposes. In the worst case, you and your customers lose control.
The best remedy? Provide an up-to-date framework and a strong architecture. A combination of a code audit and performance audit quickly identifies where the vulnerabilities are and how to eliminate them.
What exactly does an audit entail?
At PHPro, we conduct thorough technical audits, always with an eye for quality, security, and performance.
Code audit
Are you unsure about the code quality of your digital platform? Our technical architects analyze the source code of your application down to the smallest details. We map out documentation, structure, and best practices, compare your environment with a standard setup, and formulate clear recommendations.
Performance audit
Does your website load slowly or crash at peak times? Then a performance audit is the right approach. Through realistic load tests, we discover where the bottlenecks are and how your platform performs under pressure. We compile the results in a clear report with suggestions for improvement.
Results
During such an audit, software issues come to light. Which ones are most likely to cause problems?
- Security issues: outdated software, poor data validation, or leaked sensitive data.
- Performance issues: slow loading times, inefficient database queries, or excessive use of resources.
- Scalability issues: non-scalable architecture or issues with database scalability.
- Poor code quality: spaghetti code, hardcoded values, or missing documentation.
- SEO issues: incorrect or missing meta tags or broken links.
- User experience (UX) and interface (UI) problems: unresponsive design or inconsistent design.
- Compliance and accessibility problems: non-compliance with WCAGs or legal compliance.
- Infrastructure and hosting issues: a single point of failure or insufficient backup strategy.
Both audits conclude with a personal consultation, during which we explain our findings and determine the appropriate next steps together.
Afraid of what you might discover? Good.
Our audits not only show what can go wrong, but above all where opportunities lie. They help you make your application faster, more secure, and more robust so that you can focus on growth, innovation, and your end users.
Let our experts take a close look at your code and infrastructure. They are the digital Ghostbusters you call when you notice something strange in your system.