Clickjacking Protection Checker

Free Clickjacking Protection Checker - Test X-Frame-Options & CSP Headers

Our free Clickjacking Protection Checker analyzes website security by testing X-Frame-Options and Content-Security-Policy frame-ancestors headers to detect clickjacking vulnerabilities. Get instant protection status showing whether your site is fully protected, partially protected, or vulnerable to clickjacking attacks. The tool checks X-Frame-Options header values (DENY, SAMEORIGIN, ALLOW-FROM), CSP frame-ancestors directive configurations, and provides detailed recommendations for fixing vulnerabilities. Essential for website security audits, OWASP compliance checking, PCI-DSS security requirements, penetration testing preparation, and protecting users from UI redressing attacks. Includes comprehensive fix guides for Apache, Nginx, IIS, and application-level implementations with code examples.

What is Clickjacking?

Clickjacking (also known as UI redressing) is a malicious attack technique where an attacker tricks users into clicking on something different from what they perceive, potentially causing them to perform unintended actions on a vulnerable website. The attack works by loading the target website in an invisible iframe overlaid on a decoy website: attacker creates malicious page with invisible iframe containing target site, user believes they are interacting with attacker's visible content, clicks and keystrokes actually go to invisible iframe targeting real site, user unknowingly performs actions like transferring money, changing passwords, granting permissions, or sharing sensitive data. Common clickjacking attack scenarios include social media 'Like' or 'Share' button hijacking where users unknowingly share attacker's content, webcam or microphone permission grants tricking users into allowing access, cryptocurrency wallet transaction approvals stealing funds through hidden confirmations, OAuth permission grants giving attackers access to user accounts, email filter changes redirecting important messages to attackers, browser extension installations that contain malware, admin panel access in CMS systems allowing site takeover, and financial transaction approvals in banking applications. Clickjacking protection prevents these attacks by instructing browsers not to allow the page to be loaded in frames from untrusted origins. Our tool checks two primary protection mechanisms: X-Frame-Options HTTP response header (traditional method with broad browser support checking for DENY prevents all framing, SAMEORIGIN allows only same-origin framing, ALLOW-FROM uri deprecated don't use) and Content-Security-Policy frame-ancestors directive (modern flexible approach with 'none' prevents all framing, 'self' allows same-origin framing, specific origins allows listed domains only). Websites without either protection header are vulnerable to clickjacking attacks and should implement protection immediately.

How Clickjacking Protection Works

Browsers use HTTP response headers to determine whether a webpage can be framed by other sites, providing defense against clickjacking attacks.

• X-Frame-Options Header (Traditional Method): Supported by all modern and legacy browsers since 2009, simple three-value header easy to implement, DENY value completely prevents page from being framed by any site (strongest protection recommended for login pages admin panels payment forms), SAMEORIGIN value allows framing only from same origin (useful for multi-page apps needing internal frames), ALLOW-FROM uri value deprecated and not supported in modern browsers (don't use replaced by CSP), browser checks header before rendering page in iframe, if header missing or incompatible with framing context browser allows frame (vulnerability), header must be sent with every response that needs protection
• Content-Security-Policy frame-ancestors (Modern Method): Part of CSP Level 2 specification standardized 2015, more flexible than X-Frame-Options with multiple origin support, frame-ancestors 'none' equivalent to X-Frame-Options DENY (prevents all framing), frame-ancestors 'self' equivalent to SAMEORIGIN (allows same origin), frame-ancestors https://trusted.com allows specific domains, can list multiple trusted origins separated by spaces, supports wildcards for subdomains like https://*.example.com, takes precedence over X-Frame-Options in modern browsers, recommended to use BOTH headers for maximum compatibility
• Browser Protection Mechanism: When page loaded in iframe browser checks response headers, if X-Frame-Options present checks value against parent frame origin, if CSP frame-ancestors present checks against ancestor chain, violation detected browser refuses to render page in frame, user sees error message or blank iframe instead of content, JavaScript in framed page cannot override this protection, protects against clickjacking even if attacker controls parent page
• Defense-in-Depth Strategy: Implement both X-Frame-Options and CSP frame-ancestors for compatibility, X-Frame-Options protects older browsers (IE8-10 legacy systems), CSP provides modern flexible protection for recent browsers, redundancy ensures protection if one header stripped by proxy, headers work together without conflict (CSP takes precedence), essential for sites handling sensitive operations or user data
• Common Implementation Mistakes: Setting header only on homepage (must be on ALL pages), using ALLOW-FROM which doesn't work in modern browsers, forgetting to test in actual iframe context, not checking after CDN or proxy deployment (headers may be stripped), assuming HTTPS alone provides clickjacking protection (it doesn't), implementing only in application code not at web server level

How to Use the Clickjacking Protection Checker

Testing your website's clickjacking protection is instant and provides detailed security analysis.

• Enter website URL to check: Input any website URL in the form field, automatically adds https:// if not provided, works with any domain or subdomain, can test both production and staging environments, tool follows redirects to final destination
• Click Check Protection button: Instant analysis using cURL to fetch headers, processes response within seconds, extracts relevant security headers, performs comprehensive protection evaluation, displays results with clear status indicators
• View overall protection status: Large visual indicator shows protection level, color-coded status (green protected, blue partial, orange limited, red unprotected), clear message explains current security posture, immediate understanding of vulnerability state, icon provides quick visual reference
• Check X-Frame-Options header: Shows if header is present in response, displays actual header value received from server, indicates whether value provides protection (DENY SAMEORIGIN valid, ALLOW-FROM deprecated), explains protection level offered, highlights if header missing (major vulnerability)
• Check CSP frame-ancestors directive: Shows if Content-Security-Policy header present, displays frame-ancestors directive value if found, indicates protection level ('none' full, 'self' partial, specific origins limited), explains what directive means for framing, notes if CSP present but frame-ancestors missing
• Review fix recommendations: Detailed code examples for adding protection headers, configurations provided for Apache Nginx IIS and application code, copy-paste ready implementations, explanation of different protection levels to choose from, guidance on which option best for your use case
• Copy or download report: Copy button puts full report on clipboard, download button saves as text file with timestamp, report includes URL tested protection status header values, recommendations for fixing vulnerabilities, useful for security audits and compliance documentation

Why Clickjacking Protection is Critical

Implementing clickjacking protection is essential for user security, data protection, and regulatory compliance.

• Prevents Unauthorized Actions: Users tricked into performing actions they didn't intend, financial transactions approved without user knowledge, password changes made unknowingly exposing accounts, permission grants giving attackers access to resources, social media actions spreading malware or scams, email filter changes redirecting important communications, account deletion or data export without consent, clickjacking can bypass other security measures if headers missing
• Protects Sensitive Operations: Login and authentication pages vulnerable without protection, admin panels easily compromised through clickjacking, payment and checkout flows can be hijacked, OAuth authorization screens manipulated for permissions, file upload forms exploited to upload malicious content, user settings and preferences changed without consent, critical for any page with buttons forms or interactive elements
• Required for Compliance: OWASP Top 10 recommends clickjacking protection, PCI-DSS requires frame-busting for payment pages, GDPR mandates appropriate technical security measures, SOC 2 audits check for clickjacking prevention, HIPAA requires protection for healthcare applications, ISO 27001 security standards include clickjacking defense, penetration tests always check for missing protection headers
• Prevents Social Engineering: Attackers combine clickjacking with phishing for effectiveness, victims believe they're on legitimate attacker-controlled page, UI redressing makes malicious actions appear harmless, users with high trust in original site more vulnerable, particularly dangerous for sites users interact with frequently, can bypass security awareness training if invisible
• Protects Against Account Takeover: Attackers use clickjacking to change account email addresses, password resets redirected to attacker's email, two-factor authentication disabled without user knowing, recovery questions changed to attacker's answers, API keys and access tokens stolen through invisible forms, session cookies leaked to attacker-controlled frames
• Browser Won't Protect You Without Headers: Modern browsers enforce clickjacking protection only when headers present, no protection headers means browser allows all framing, cannot rely on JavaScript frame-busting alone (easily bypassed), same-origin policy doesn't prevent clickjacking, HTTPS doesn't provide clickjacking protection, must explicitly set headers on every protected page
• Reputation and Trust Impact: Clickjacking attacks damage user trust in website, news of vulnerability spreads quickly harming reputation, regulatory fines possible if user data compromised, potential lawsuits from affected users, loss of business if customers don't feel safe, implementing protection demonstrates security commitment

How to Implement Clickjacking Protection

Adding clickjacking protection is straightforward with configuration changes to your web server or application.

• Apache Web Server (.htaccess or httpd.conf): Add headers using mod_headers module, <IfModule mod_headers.c> Header always set X-Frame-Options DENY, Header always set Content-Security-Policy "frame-ancestors 'none'" </IfModule>, place in .htaccess file in web root or in Apache configuration, always keyword ensures headers sent even on error responses, restart Apache after configuration changes: sudo systemctl restart apache2, verify with curl -I https://yoursite.com
• Nginx Web Server (nginx.conf or site config): Add headers in server or location block, add_header X-Frame-Options "DENY" always; add_header Content-Security-Policy "frame-ancestors 'none'" always;, place in /etc/nginx/sites-available/yoursite, always keyword important for error responses, reload Nginx configuration: sudo nginx -s reload, test configuration before reload: sudo nginx -t
• IIS Web Server (web.config): Configure custom headers in system.webServer section, <system.webServer><httpProtocol><customHeaders><add name="X-Frame-Options" value="DENY" /><add name="Content-Security-Policy" value="frame-ancestors 'none'" /></customHeaders></httpProtocol></system.webServer>, place web.config in application root, IIS automatically applies changes, test with browser developer tools
• PHP Application Level: Use header() function in PHP, header('X-Frame-Options: DENY'); header("Content-Security-Policy: frame-ancestors 'none'");, place at top of every PHP file before ANY output, consider using framework middleware for global headers, Laravel: response()->header('X-Frame-Options', 'DENY'), Symfony: ->set('X-Frame-Options', 'DENY')
• Node.js/Express Application: Use helmet middleware for automatic security headers, npm install helmet, const helmet = require('helmet'); app.use(helmet.frameguard({ action: 'deny' }));, frameguard sets both X-Frame-Options and CSP, options: deny sameorigin or allow-from specific origin, helmet includes many other security headers
• ASP.NET Application: Configure in web.config or use middleware, Web.config: <httpProtocol><customHeaders><add name="X-Frame-Options" value="DENY" /></customHeaders></httpProtocol>, Middleware: app.Use(async (context, next) => { context.Response.Headers.Add("X-Frame-Options", "DENY"); await next(); });, ASP.NET Core has built-in support
• Django Python Framework: Use MIDDLEWARE setting for security headers, pip install django-csp for CSP support, MIDDLEWARE includes 'django.middleware.clickjacking.XFrameOptionsMiddleware', X_FRAME_OPTIONS = 'DENY' in settings.py, CSP_FRAME_ANCESTORS = "'none'" with django-csp, applied automatically to all responses
• Ruby on Rails Application: Use secure_headers gem for comprehensive protection, gem 'secure_headers', SecureHeaders::Configuration.default do |config| config.x_frame_options = 'DENY' config.csp = { frame_ancestors: %w['none'] } end, automatically applies to all responses

Pro Tip

Always implement BOTH X-Frame-Options and Content-Security-Policy frame-ancestors headers for maximum protection - X-Frame-Options provides backward compatibility with older browsers (IE8-10 and legacy systems still in use), while CSP frame-ancestors offers modern flexible protection and takes precedence in browsers that support both. Use X-Frame-Options: DENY and Content-Security-Policy: frame-ancestors 'none' for pages that should never be framed (login pages, admin panels, payment forms, sensitive operations), or use SAMEORIGIN and 'self' for pages that need to be embedded in same-origin contexts (internal dashboards, multi-page applications with embedded frames). Avoid ALLOW-FROM as it's deprecated and doesn't work in Chrome, Firefox, or modern browsers - instead use CSP frame-ancestors with specific origins if you need to allow trusted third-party framing. When implementing protection, set headers at the web server level (Apache, Nginx, IIS) rather than application level whenever possible because server-level headers apply to ALL responses including static files and error pages, are harder for developers to accidentally remove, and provide defense-in-depth if application code compromised. Test your implementation by creating a simple HTML file with an iframe pointing to your protected page - if headers work correctly the browser will show error or blank frame instead of your page content. Use browser developer tools Network tab to verify headers are present in response and set correctly - look for X-Frame-Options and Content-Security-Policy in the response headers list. Remember that protection headers must be sent with EVERY response that needs protection, not just the homepage - many sites make the mistake of protecting only entry pages while leaving internal pages vulnerable. For sites that legitimately need to be embedded (payment widgets, OAuth flows, embeddable content), use frame-ancestors with specific whitelisted origins rather than disabling protection entirely. If you use a CDN or reverse proxy (Cloudflare, CloudFront, etc.) verify headers aren't being stripped - some CDNs modify or remove custom headers by default. Consider implementing JavaScript frame-busting as additional defense-in-depth but never rely on it alone as attackers can bypass JavaScript protection through sandbox attributes or disabling JavaScript. Monitor your headers regularly using tools like SecurityHeaders.com or our checker to ensure protection remains in place after updates or deployments. For WordPress sites use a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri that can add these headers automatically. For maximum security combine clickjacking protection with other security headers like Content-Security-Policy for XSS protection, Strict-Transport-Security for HTTPS enforcement, and X-Content-Type-Options to prevent MIME sniffing. Document which protection level you chose and why in your security policy so developers understand not to remove headers. If using SAMEORIGIN or frame-ancestors 'self' ensure your site doesn't have XSS vulnerabilities as attackers could inject malicious frames from same origin bypassing the protection.

FAQ

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