A method and system for improving the security and control of internet/network web application processes, such as web applications. The invention enables validation of requests from web clients before the request reaches a web application server. Incoming web client requests are compared to an application model that may include an allowed navigation path within an underlying web application. Requests inconsistent with the application model are blocked before reaching the application server. The invention may also verify that application state data sent to application servers has not been inappropriately modified. Furthermore, the invention enables application models to be automatically generated by employing, for example, a web crawler to probe target applications. Once a preliminary application model is generated it can be operated in a training mode. An administrator may tune the application model by adding a request that was incorrectly marked as non-compliant to the application model.