Uploading files is a crucial feature of many services and applications. File uploads are commonly used in content management systems and other business applications. However the ability to allow malicious actors to upload files with no restrictions could expose your customer’s data to security breach.
To ensure secure uploading and downloading, a system is required which checks uploaded file’s contents against an approved whitelist of types of files and scans for viruses. This is especially crucial if you manage customer information and must be compliant with laws like HIPAA or GDPR for EU citizens.
A reliable system for uploading files will also ensure that the data is encrypted both while in flight and in rest. This prevents the data from being read by third-party. It can also save your company from costly legal fees and fines if they are not in compliance with.
Additionally you should keep uploaded files in designated storage locations on your server, database or cloud storage service. You should also return a hyperlink to the file to the user. This will reduce the risk that hackers could gain access to your server, and also steal important information from customers.