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Node.js powers millions of web applications, but its flexibility also introduces numerous security challenges if not configured properly. This exhaustive guide covers all aspects of securing a Node.js backend, starting with fundamental security principles. We'll walk through setting up proper authentication using JWT with secure storage practices, implementing rate limiting to prevent brute force attacks, and configuring CORS securely without breaking functionality. The article details how to sanitize user input to prevent injection attacks and validate data using libraries like Joi. You'll learn about securing dependencies, checking for vulnerabilities with npm audit, and implementing proper logging for security events.

The second half dives into advanced security measures including implementing Content Security Policy (CSP), protecting against CSRF attacks, and securing file uploads. We cover HTTP security headers configuration, preventing information leakage, and setting up proper session management. The guide includes a special section on Docker security for Node.js applications and securing API endpoints. Real-world examples demonstrate how these techniques prevented major breaches in production systems. We conclude with a 30-point security checklist you can immediately apply to your Node.js projects, along with recommendations for security auditing tools and continuous monitoring solutions.