I just finished my first REST API and put it on Heroku. I thought it would be neat to try and make some money through RapidAPI. The RapidAPI dashboard works fine and needs their key for API calls.
But here’s the thing: I can still use the API without a key when I go to the Heroku URL directly or use Postman. This isn’t what I want.
I know the RapidAPI tests use their own URL, but how do I stop people from using my Heroku URL? I want to make sure only RapidAPI can access it.
I know it’s not likely someone will stumble upon my Heroku app address, but it could happen. Any ideas on how to lock this down?
I’ve encountered a similar situation. One effective approach is to implement IP whitelisting on your Heroku app. Configure your application to only accept requests from RapidAPI’s IP ranges. This way, direct access to your Heroku URL will be blocked for unauthorized users. You’ll need to keep the whitelist updated as RapidAPI may change their IPs occasionally. Additionally, consider using environment variables to store sensitive information like API keys or tokens. This adds an extra layer of security and flexibility to your setup. Remember to thoroughly test your security measures to ensure they work as intended.
Having gone through a similar process, I can share what worked for me. I implemented a combination of IP whitelisting and custom header verification. First, I set up my Heroku app to only accept requests from RapidAPI’s IP range. Then, I added a middleware that checks for a specific custom header that RapidAPI includes in their requests. This two-layer approach effectively blocked direct access to my Heroku URL.
One thing to keep in mind: make sure you have proper error handling in place. You don’t want to expose too much information if someone tries to access your API directly. Also, consider implementing rate limiting to protect against potential abuse.
Lastly, don’t forget to regularly review and update your security measures. As your API grows, you might need to adjust your approach. Good luck with your API, and I hope this helps!
hey there! i’ve dealt with this before. you could try implementing a custom authentication middleware in your API. basically, check for a specific header or token that only RapidAPI knows. if it’s not there, deny access. that way, direct calls to your heroku url won’t work without the secret sauce. good luck with your API venture!