400 Bad Request: Understanding the Error and Protecting Your Networks and Devices
When a client sends an HTTP request to your server, it expects a 200 OK response. However, if the server returns a 4xx or 5xx status code, like 400 Bad Request, something is amiss.
Sources of 400 Bad Request Errors
- HTTP errors occur when the client's request cannot be processed due to a server-side issue. Common sources include:
- Misconfigured servers or firewalls
- Outdated software or plugins
- Incorrect or missing SSL/HTTPS certificates
SSL/TLS certificates are essential for secure communication between your server and clients. A 400 Bad Request can be caused by issues with the certificate's validity, expiration date, or even a weak or missing CA root.
Protecting Networks and Devices from Cyber Threats
To safeguard against 400 Bad Request errors, implement proper SSL/TLS certificates, perform regular software updates, and configure your server to handle invalid requests.