Developers who use AI to write their code face a specific problem. Nearly half the time, these AI tools create code with security holes. The numbers tell a different story.
Veracode analyzed code from over 100 large language models across 80 coding tasks and found vulnerabilities in 45% of cases. The Cloud Security Alliance discovered similar patterns, with 62% of AI-generated solutions containing design flaws or known vulnerabilities.
These AI assistants train on public repositories, Stack Overflow posts, and open documentation. They pick up both good practices and bad habits from these sources.
The security problems keep piling up. Matt Palmer from Replit took a look at 1,645 web applications built on Lovable, a popular AI coding platform. He found that 170 sites left user information out in the open for anyone to see. Names, email addresses, financial details, and API keys sat there unprotected.
Daniel Asaria showed how bad things could get when he pulled personal debt amounts, home addresses, and sensitive prompts from multiple Lovable sites within 47 minutes. Base44, another vibe coding platform, had its own issues. Vulnerabilities in the platform let unauthorized users get into private applications.
When you build a website using AI-generated code using GreenGeeks, you need specific security measures. The platform provides server-level protection, but the code itself requires your attention. Here are five practical methods to protect your vibe-coded website.
1. Implement Strong Access Control Measures
Access control failures top the OWASP list of web application security risks for good reason. These problems affect 3.73% of tested. The category covers 40 different weakness types. Here’s what makes this problem so widespread: nine out of ten security tests find access control problems. AI-generated code often mishandles user permissions because the models lack context about your specific security requirements.
Start by reviewing every piece of authentication and authorization code your AI assistant generates. Look for common mistakes like hardcoded credentials, missing permission checks, or overly permissive default settings. Set up role-based access control that limits what each user type can do.
Test these controls by attempting to access restricted areas with different user accounts. GreenGeeks provides tools to manage file permissions at the server level, which provides additional protection beyond your application code.
2. Deploy Multi-Factor Authentication
Relying on passwords alone will only provide you with minimal protection. CISA states plainly that you need more than a password to stay safe online.
NIST’s Special Publication 800-63B requires strong MFA implementation for privileged access points. Businesses must use at least two authentication factors from separate categories. You’ve got three options: Something you know, like a password; something you have, like a phone; or something you are, like a fingerprint.
NIST’s 2025 guidelines also specify password requirements based on your authentication setup. Single-factor authentication needs passwords with at least 15 characters. When you use MFA, passwords require a minimum of eight characters to a maximum of 64 characters.
It’s best practice to review the authentication code your AI generates carefully. Many AI models produce basic login systems without MFA capabilities. You’ll need to add these features yourself or specifically prompt the AI to include them. GreenGeeks supports various MFA plugins and tools that integrate with common content management systems.
3. Set Up Automated Backups Following the 3-2-1-1-0 Rule
Research from Solutions Review shows that cyber incidents will cost the United States $639 billion in 2025. These costs will reach approximately $1.82 trillion by 2028. That’s why having backup systems in place is essential. These systems protect against both security breaches and code failures.
The traditional 3-2-1 rule tells you to keep three copies of your data on two different media types, with one copy stored off-site. Security experts have expanded this to 3-2-1-1-0, adding one immutable copy that cannot be changed and ensuring zero recovery errors through testing.
Regular backups limit your exposure when something goes wrong. GreenGeeks offers automated backup services that handle the technical details. Schedule daily backups for active development sites and test your restoration process monthly. We recommend that you store critical data in multiple locations, including one that attackers can’t modify even if they compromise your main systems.
4. Configure a Web Application Firewall
A web application firewall examines HTTP traffic and blocks malicious requests before they reach your application. WAFs apply rules to HTTP conversations that cover common attacks like Cross-site Scripting and SQL Injection.
AI-generated code frequently contains these exact vulnerabilities. WAFs use rule-based logic, parsing, and signatures to detect attack patterns according to AWS and Microsoft Azure documentation. Fortinet’s analysis confirms that WAFs provide targeted protection for each vulnerability category. GreenGeeks includes WAF capabilities that you can configure through your hosting control panel. Enable these protections and customize the rules based on your application’s specific needs.
5. Maintain Regular Updates and Security Patches
Unpatched software creates massive security holes. Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows exploitation of known vulnerabilities accounts for 20% of breaches, up 34% from the previous year. Additionally, Sophos found that 32% of ransomware attacks start with unpatched software.
The numbers get worse when you look at response times. Kratikal research shows 32% of critical vulnerabilities remain exposed for over 180 days despite available patches. In addition, the Ponemon Institute found 60% of breach victims were compromised through unpatched known vulnerabilities.
Managing SSL Certificates
SSL certificates require particular attention because they expire frequently. Venafi’s Machine Identity Management Report reveals that 63% of certificate-related outages happen because certificates expired. The industry has moved toward 90-day certificates as the standard, making manual tracking even harder.
Use the Automatic Certificate Management Environment protocol to handle certificate renewals. ACME simplifies issuance and renewal without requiring manual intervention. GreenGeeks provides free SSL certificates and automated renewal through Let’s Encrypt. Check your certificate status monthly even with automation in place. Set up monitoring alerts that warn you 30 days before expiration.
Creating a Patch Schedule
Establish a regular schedule for reviewing and applying updates. Check for framework updates weekly, security patches immediately upon release, and dependency updates monthly. AI-generated code often uses popular libraries and frameworks that receive frequent security updates. Your AI assistant won’t tell you when these dependencies need patches.
Review the code your AI produces for outdated libraries. Endor Labs found over 40% of AI-generated solutions contain security flaws partly because they train on older code examples. When AI suggests a library or framework, verify you’re getting the latest secure version. GreenGeeks provides tools to manage PHP versions, database software, and other server-level components. Keep these updated alongside your application code.
Security as an Ongoing Process
Securing vibe-coded websites requires continuous attention. AI coding assistants produce vulnerable code in nearly half of all cases because they lack understanding of your specific security context.
These five security measures address the most common vulnerabilities in AI-generated code. Access controls prevent unauthorized users from reaching sensitive areas. Multi-factor authentication blocks attackers who steal passwords. Regular backups protect your data when other defenses fail. Web application firewalls catch attacks your code might miss. Consistent updates close security holes before attackers find them.
GreenGeeks provides the infrastructure and tools to implement these protections. The platform handles server-level security while you focus on securing your application code. Review every piece of code your AI assistant generates. Test security features thoroughly before deploying to production. Monitor your sites for unusual activity and respond quickly to security alerts. Building with AI accelerates development, but security still requires human oversight and careful implementation.
