Redirects guide browsers and search engines to the correct destination.
Types of redirects
- 301 (Permanent): Old URL replaced forever (passes SEO value).
- 302 (Temporary): Short-term redirect (does not pass SEO value).
- 303 (See Other): POST request redirected to GET.
- 307/308: Preserve HTTP method in redirect.
Security risks
- Open redirects: Attacker-controlled destination can be used for phishing.
- Redirect chains: Multiple hops slow performance and confuse users.
- Unvalidated redirects: Can bypass authentication or access controls.
Best practices
- Validate destination URLs against allowlist.
- Limit redirect chains to 3-5 hops maximum.
- Use 301 for permanent moves, 302 for temporary.
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