~ Complete all 7 quick wins in 20 minutes
TL;DR
These 7 quick wins take 5 minutes or less each but significantly improve your app's security: check .gitignore, verify .env isn't exposed, enable HTTPS, remove debug logging, add security headers, update dependencies, and check for hardcoded URLs. Do them now before reading further.
CheckYourVibe defines security quick wins as high-impact, low-effort improvements that block the most common attack vectors against vibe-coded applications. These aren't comprehensive fixes, but they eliminate the obvious vulnerabilities that automated scanners and attackers look for first. Completing all seven quick wins reduces your attack surface by an estimated 60%.
Based on CheckYourVibe analysis of the most exploited vulnerabilities in vibe-coded apps.
Your Learning Path (Step 4 of 4 - Final Step!)
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Why Security Matters
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First Scan
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Quick Wins
Why Quick Wins Matter
Security doesn't have to be overwhelming. While comprehensive security takes time, there are simple changes you can make right now that block common attacks. These quick wins prevent the mistakes we see in nearly every vibe-coded app.
Each fix below takes 5 minutes or less. Do them all and you'll have addressed a significant portion of common security issues.
1 Check Your .gitignore 2 min
Make sure sensitive files don't get committed to git. Your .gitignore should include:
How to check: Open your .gitignore file and verify .env is listed. If the file doesn't exist, create one in your project root.
High Impact 2 Verify .env Isn't Committed 1 min
Even with a proper .gitignore, your .env file might have been committed before you added the ignore rule.
If this shows any results, your .env file was committed at some point. You'll need to rotate all secrets in that file immediately.
High Impact 3 Confirm HTTPS is Enabled 1 min
Visit your production site and check the URL bar. You should see a lock icon and https:// at the start of the URL.
If using Vercel or Netlify: HTTPS is automatic. Just verify by visiting your site.
If self-hosting: Set up SSL with Let's Encrypt or your hosting provider's SSL option.
High Impact 4 Remove Debug Logging 3 min
Search your codebase for console.log statements that might expose sensitive data:
Search for console.log in your code and remove any that log sensitive data like user info, tokens, or API responses.
Medium Impact 5 Add Basic Security Headers 5 min
If you're using Next.js, add these headers to your next.config.js:
For other frameworks, check your framework's documentation for adding HTTP headers.
Medium Impact 6 Update Dependencies 2 min
Check for known vulnerabilities in your dependencies:
If vulnerabilities are found, try to fix them with:
Note: Some vulnerabilities require manual updates if they involve breaking changes. Prioritize Critical and High severity issues.
Medium Impact 7 Check for Hardcoded URLs 3 min
Search for hardcoded localhost or development URLs that might have made it to production:
Search your codebase for localhost and 127.0.0.1 to find any hardcoded development URLs.
Medium Impact
Quick Win Checklist
.gitignore includes .env files
No .env file in git history
HTTPS enabled on production site
Debug console.log statements removed
Basic security headers added
Dependencies updated (npm audit)
No hardcoded localhost URLs
What's Next?
These quick wins are a great start, but they're just the beginning. For comprehensive security:
- Run a security scan to identify issues specific to your app
- Fix Critical issues like exposed API keys and missing database security
- Enable Row Level Security if you're using Supabase or Firebase
- Set up regular scans to catch new issues as you build
Don't stop here. Quick wins handle the obvious issues, but a security scan will find problems you didn't know to look for. Most vibe-coded apps have issues beyond what quick wins can catch.
What are the fastest security improvements I can make?
The fastest improvements are: adding a .gitignore file, checking your .env file isn't committed, verifying HTTPS is enabled, and removing console.log statements that expose sensitive data. Each takes under 5 minutes and blocks common attack vectors.
Do quick fixes really make a difference?
Yes. Many security breaches happen because of simple oversights. A proper .gitignore prevents accidental secret exposure. HTTPS protects data in transit. These quick fixes block common attacks that automated scanners look for.
What should I do after the quick wins?
After quick wins, run a full security scan to identify remaining issues. Then work through Critical and High severity findings. Quick wins are a great start, but comprehensive security requires addressing all identified vulnerabilities.
I completed all the quick wins. Is my app secure now?
Quick wins address common oversights but don't guarantee full security. Your app may still have issues like missing authentication, SQL injection vulnerabilities, or insecure database configurations. A security scan will identify what else needs attention.
You've Completed the Getting Started Journey!
You now understand the basics of vibe coding security. Keep exploring to go deeper.
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