Add API traffic to Akto using HAR file upload

Learn how to uplaod API traffic data from HAR file to Akto

Introduction

Akto needs your staging, production or other environment's traffic to Discover APIs and analyze for AP misconfiguration. It does so by connecting to one of your traffic sources. If you don't have access to staging or production environment, you can create API inventory using HAR file upload.

Note that traffic from HAR File upload won't be automated like the native cloud connectors.

HAR File Upload is recommended for Akto Open source or free tier only. For an automated inventory, you will want to use other automated traffic connectors.

What is HAR file?

The HTTP Archive format, or HAR, is a JSON-formatted archive file format for logging of a web browser's interaction with a site. The common extension for these files is .har. You can use this method if you quickly want to try out Akto. Akto can process HAR (Http Archive) files and populate inventory from them.

Pre-requisites to add HAR file data to Akto

• You should have an active Akto account.

• Make sure you have HAR files generated from Chrome or Firefox available for upload. The maximum file size for upload is 25 MB.

Steps to capture traffic in a HAR File

Launch your Chrome browser and navigate to the web page for which you want to capture the traffic. For demonstration purposes, we will capture the traffic from https://juiceshop.akto.io

Steps to upload HAR file in Akto dashboard

Add the generated HAR file to your API collection by following the steps demonstrated below.

What's next?

Head to API Discovery to learn more. Once you start seeing inventory, you can run API Security tests on your APIs. See Akto's test library to select tests you want to run on your APIs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the limit on the size of HAR file upload?

The maximum size you can upload to Akto is 25 mb.

2. What is a HAR file, and how can I generate one in Chrome or Firefox?

HAR stands for HTTP Archive, and it is a format used to capture and store network traffic data during a web browser session. To generate a HAR file in Chrome or Firefox:

Steps for Chrome:

Step 1: Open Chrome

Step 2: Right-click on the page and select "Inspect" to open Developer Tools.

Step 3: Go to the "Network" tab. Perform the actions or interactions you want to capture (e.g., load a webpage).

Step 4: Right-click on the network activity list and choose "Save as HAR with Content."

Steps for Firefox:

Step 1: Open Firefox.

Step 2: Click on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Web Developer > Network

Step 3: Perform the actions you want to capture.

Step 4: Click the Export button to save the captured data as a HAR file.

Troubleshooting Guide

I uploaded 100 APIs, but I can only see 85 of them in the dashboard. Where are the missing APIs?

Akto processes and displays only APIs that have received a 2xx series status code in their HTTP responses. If an API request did not receive a 2xx status code (e.g., 3xx, 4xx, or 5xx), it may not appear in the dashboard.

Get Support for your Akto setup

There are multiple ways to request support from Akto. We are 24X7 available on the following:

1. In-app intercom support. Message us with your query on intercom in Akto dashboard and someone will reply.

2. Join our discord channel for community support.

3. Contact [e-mail] for email support.

4. Contact us here.