CSP Generator
About Tool
Securing a modern website requires more than just an SSL certificate. A Content Security Policy (CSP) is a powerful layer of security that helps detect and mitigate certain types of attacks, including Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and data injection attacks. This generator provides a streamlined interface to define which dynamic resources are allowed to load on your site, helping you build a robust header without getting lost in complex manual syntax.
By default, browsers allow scripts and styles to load from anywhere unless a policy tells them otherwise. This utility allows you to specify trusted sources for scripts, styles, images, and connections. If you are currently auditing your site's existing security configurations, you might find it helpful to use the HTTP Header Parser to see which policies are currently being served by your production environment.
Understanding the Directives
The core of a CSP consists of "directives" that act as gatekeepers for different types of content. For instance, the default-src directive serves as a fallback for other resource types, while script-src specifically controls where JavaScript can be executed from. This tool allows you to toggle common settings like 'self' (allowing content from your own domain) or 'unsafe-inline' (allowing inline scripts, though generally discouraged for high security).
How to Implement Your Policy
Once you have selected your desired sources and toggled the relevant checkboxes, the tool generates a copyable string. This string should be added to your server's configuration as a Content-Security-Policy HTTP header. If you are using an Apache server, you can often implement this via your configuration files; the .Htaccess Redirect Generator can assist with other server-level rules you might need during this process. Alternatively, you can include the policy in your HTML using a <meta> tag, although the header method is the most secure and recommended approach.
Practical Security Tips
Start with a restrictive policy and gradually loosen it as needed. Using default-src 'self' is a great baseline. If your site uses external fonts or APIs, ensure you add those specific domains to the font-src and connect-src fields respectively. Remember that a poorly configured CSP can "break" site functionality by blocking legitimate scripts, so it is vital to test your generated policy in a staging environment first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'unsafe-inline' and should I use it?
'unsafe-inline' allows the use of inline <script> and <style> elements. While convenient, it significantly weakens your defense against XSS. It is better to move code to external files or use nonces/hashes.
Does a CSP replace an SSL certificate?
No. SSL/TLS encrypts the connection between the user and the server. A CSP controls what content the browser is allowed to execute once it has been loaded.
Can I test a policy without breaking my site?
Yes, you can use the 'Content-Security-Policy-Report-Only' header. This tells the browser to report violations to a specific URL without actually blocking the content.
What happens if a resource is blocked?
The browser will refuse to load the resource and usually prints a "Refused to load..." error message in the developer console.
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