What are some best practices for ensuring database security in PHP applications, especially when using MySQL?

Issue: One best practice for ensuring database security in PHP applications, especially when using MySQL, is to use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Code snippet: 

// Connect to MySQL database
$servername = "localhost";
$username = "username";
$password = "password";
$dbname = "database";

$conn = new mysqli($servername, $username, $password, $dbname);

// Prepare a parameterized query to prevent SQL injection
$stmt = $conn->prepare("SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = ?");
$stmt->bind_param("s", $username);

// Set the username parameter and execute the query
$username = "admin";
$stmt->execute();

// Process the results
$result = $stmt->get_result();
while ($row = $result->fetch_assoc()) {
    // Handle the fetched data
}

// Close the statement and connection
$stmt->close();
$conn->close();

Related Questions