> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://web.tipsytux.in/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://web.tipsytux.in/server-side/sql-injection/mitigation-strategies.md).

# Mitigation Strategies

## Prepared Statements (Parametrized Queries)

* Binds user input as a parameter instead of injecting it directly into the SQL query.
* **Best practice** to prevent SQL injection.

```sql
select ID from Users where username=? and password=?;
```

***

## Input Validation

* Validate and sanitize all user inputs to identify illegitimate entries.
* Helps prevent SQLi but **is not foolproof**

***

## Whitelisting

Allows only pre-approved inputs, best for 

* column names, 
* table names,
*  or SQL operators (e.g., `ORDER BY`).

```php
if ($_POST["order_by"] == "Date" || $_POST["order_by"] == "Name")
```

***

## Type Casting

* Enforce strict data types to prevent injection.

```php
$user_id = (int)$_GET['id']; // Ensures input is always an integer
```

***

## Escaping

* Encode or remove special characters that might break SQL queries.
* **Used as a last resort, not fully reliable.**

```php
$safe_input = mysqli_real_escape_string($_POST["argument"]);
```

***


---

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