Category: You Asked, We Answered
Why Do App Development Companies Sign Non-Disclosure Agreements with Clients?
When an app visionary has an idea for an app and goes to an app development company to discuss the concept, it usually isn’t long before the company requires a signed non-disclosure agreement between themselves and the visionary. The reason has many facets, but it basically boils down to this: a non-disclosure agreement protects the intellectual property of both parties. By doing so, a non-disclosure agreement reduces the chances of one party taking advantage of the other, establishes trust between the developer and the client, and protects the brands and reputation of both parties.
This article will answer the following questions:
- What is a non-disclosure agreement?
- What are the different kinds of non-disclosure agreements?
- How are non-disclosure agreements written?
- As an app founder, what does a non-disclosure do for me?
- How does a non-disclosure agreement help the app development company?
- What action can be taken if a non-disclosure agreement is violated?
What is a non-disclosure agreement?
A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a legally binding contract that two or more parties sign (in this case the app founder and app development company) that protects confidential information from being shared with third parties.
In the case of an app development company and an app founder, an NDA is frequently initiated by the app development company, but that is not always the case. If the founder’s business, organization, or institution is a government entity, works closely with the government, or has trade secrets or other sensitive information that will be discussed during the building of the app, they may require their own NDA to protect their interests.
What are the different types of non-disclosure agreements?
There are two types of non-disclosure agreements that an app founder and the app development company can sign:
- A unilateral or one-way NDA, which is designed to protect only one of the two parties involved. Employers sometimes require that new employees sign a unilateral NDA. This is also true when a company hires a contractor or if an inventor goes to a company to have an idea or invention evaluated.
- A bilateral or mutual NDA, which is designed to protect both parties equally. Both parties can limit how the other party will use or share their information. This is the type of NDA that app developers usually require.
How are non-disclosure agreements written?
An NDA has three primary components:
- The parties involved. An NDA defines who is bound by the agreement and their obligations to each other.
- The confidential information. This section outlines the confidential information that the parties agree to keep secret. This can include trade secrets, ideas, techniques, processes, product information, and other proprietary information.
- The restrictions. This section outlines the specific restrictions on how the confidential information can be used and shared. It covers how long the agreement is in effect for and how the information can be shared, along with any other restrictions the two parties decide on.
For an NDA to be legally binding, it must include these three components. It must also be signed by all of the parties involved. In addition, most NDAs include language that allows for the agreement to be enforced in a court of law if necessary.
In order for an NDA to be legally binding, all parties must also have a clear understanding of the agreement and sign it voluntarily. It should be written in simple, understandable language that all parties can understand, and all parties should have the time needed to review the agreement and consider the terms before signing it.
As an app founder, what does a non-disclosure agreement do for me?
An NDA aids the app’s founder and the founder’s company or organization in a number of ways:
- It shows the commitment of the app development company to protect confidential information and to the success of the project. This can help to foster a more productive relationship between the two parties.
- It establishes trust between the app founder and the development company they have chosen to work with.
- It promotes an environment that allows an app founder to talk freely about his vision without worrying that his idea could be stolen or is in jeopardy.
- It protects the founder’s intellectual property and any confidential information that may be contained in the app itself.
- It can prevent the founder’s competitors from obtaining access to the app’s ideas, designs, and other proprietary information and using it for their own advantage.
- It provides a legally enforceable means of protecting confidential information. It also limits the use of such information by the development company to ensure that their information is not misused.
How does a non-disclosure agreement help the app development company?
In addition, an NDA assists the app development company in several ways:
- It ensures the confidentiality of an app developer’s intellectual property including their source code, software designs, and other proprietary information. By doing this, the NDA protects the developer’s ideas, designs, and developments from being stolen by competitors or malicious actors.
- NDAs can also help the development company from potential lawsuits or breach of contract claims from disgruntled clients.
- An NDA protects development companies from revealing sensitive information to their clients. This includes their development process, which protects the development company’s competitive advantage over its competitors.
- By signing an NDA, a client agrees to pay for the services provided and not use intellectual property without permission. This provides the development company with the assurance that they will be compensated for their hard work and that the client cannot take advantage of them.
What action can be taken if a non-disclosure agreement is violated?
If an NDA is violated, the party who is adversely affected by the breach may take legal action against the other party. This action can include filing a lawsuit in a civil court and seeking a court order to prevent further violations. The affect party can also seek a monetary award for damages incurred by the violation.
The first step to taking legal action against a company who violated a non-disclosure agreement is to contact an experienced attorney. The attorney will review the contract and determine what legal remedies are available and how to best proceed.
The next step is to prepare a demand letter. The letter should include details of the breach and damages that were suffered as a result of the breach. It should also request for the company who caused the breach to take corrective action. In addition, the demand letter should state what legal action may be taken by the injured party if the company does not take corrective action. If the company does not take corrective action after receiving the demand letter, the injured party may choose to file a lawsuit in civil court. The lawsuit should include all relevant facts, a statement of damages suffered, and a request for a court order to prevent further violations of the NDA.
If the court finds that the NDA was violated, it can award damages to the party affected by the breach. Depending on the particular circumstances, these damages may include monetary compensation, attorney’s fees, and court costs.
Finally, the court may issue an injunction ordering the company to stop further violations of the NDA. This injunction would require the company to take specific steps to ensure that it is in compliance with the agreement.
Matraex is a premier app and software development company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. Do you have any questions about app development, web development, or technology in general? Matraex would love to answer them! Your question may even be featured in a future blog! Contact us, leave a question in the instant messaging feature on our website, or put a question on our Google Business Page. We look forward to helping you become a more informed consumer.
How Do You Add Color to Websites and Apps?
When the average person looks at the coding involved in a website or app, it often looks like lines and lines of gibberish. How in the world can a programmer make sense of it? But, of course, it does make sense to them. As for adding colors to websites and apps, there are standardized words that can be used for some colors. The most common way with the larger variety of colors, however, is by using Hex Codes. Another way to add colors, which is very similar to Hex Codes, is by using RGB colors.
Questions answered in this article include the following:
What colors can I make using specialized words?
In some cases, depending on the color you are searching for, you can sometimes add the name of the color directly inside the code. There are 140 standard color names that can be used when coding. Here’s an example of the standard color names.
You can visit htmlcolorcodes.com for a chart with all 140 specific color names available to use in coding.
How is Hex Code used to create different colors?
Using Hex Codes, also called Hexadecimal Colors, is the most common way of adding colors to a website or app, and it has a much larger variety of colors. Hexadecimal codes are formed from a number sign and six digits #RRGGBB (red, green, blue). Each digit then has a number or letter 0-9, A-F. The farther you go from the 0 to the F, the higher the intensity of that color. The color white is the highest intensity, represented with #FFFFFF and black being the lowest intensity, represented by #000000. All of the gray colors have the same two digits repeating such as #676767.
When using Hex Codes, it is possible to create 16,777,216 colors! If you would like to experiment with Hex Codes, this color picker shows the range of possible colors with its corresponding Hex Code. It shows the RGB codes for each color as well.
How do RGB colors work?
RGB (red, green blue) colors work the same way as Hex Code but may be a little simpler to understand. Instead of using two digits with a combination of numerical digits and letters up to F to denote the intensity of the colors, RGB colors use the numbers 0-255, with 0 being the lowest intensity and 255 being the highest. Therefore, RBG(0, 0, 255) would be green since the green has the highest intensity while the other two colors are zero. Subsequently, RBG(0, 0, 0), with all three colors being the lowest intensity, would be black and RBG(255, 255, 255) would be white, with all three colors being the highest intensity.
As with Hex Codes, there’s 16,777,216 possible colors when using RGB colors, and you can also experiment with the color picker to see the variety of colors with its corresponding code.
What does the code look like when adding colors?
If you are using CSS or HTML as the primary coding language, it’s not much different. You would add your color choice before the text. So, for example, you wanted to write “How are you?” in an H2 setting with a background Hex color of red, you would write:
<h2 style=”background-color:#ff0000;”>How are you?</h2>
W3Schools has tutorials on a number of coding languages with ways that you can try your code and see the results. You can go there to see examples of how colors are used in coding and try it out for yourself.
Matraex would like to be your go-to source for information regarding app development or anything coding or tech-related. Feel free to send us a message on our website, contact us, or leave us a question on our Google Business Profile. We look forward to answering your questions so you can be informed.
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Can Apps Steal the Photos from my Device?
For an app to see or use your photos, it must first ask for permission to access them. Some apps will ask for this permission when you first download it, while others will wait until a time comes when it needs to access your photos to perform a certain function. Regardless of when it asks for permission, once you grant the app permission to access your pictures, it can do many things with your photos that you may be unaware of, some of which could equate to stealing.
Questions answered in this article include the following:
Once I give permission, what can an app do with my photos?
When you give an app permission to access your photos, it can potentially use them for many purpose:
- For marketing such as sharing them in social media or displaying them in advertisements.
- To train algorithms and artificial intelligence.
- To collect data shown in the photos and use that data for analytics.
- Adding filters to the photos, using them in collages, and altering them in other ways.
- Using the photos to generate targeted ads.
- Map apps may use your photos to add to points of interest on a map.
- Search apps can use your photos to recognize objects or people within the photo to provide more “relevant” search results.
- Uploading and storing the photos in their database.
- Selling the photos to third-party companies.
Apps who ask for permission to access photos usually tell you how they might use your photos in the app’s privacy policy and/or in their Terms of Service. It may be worthwhile for the apps user to read an app’s privacy policy prior to giving permission to access photos to make certain that they are comfortable with the risks associated with providing access.
Can giving an app permission to access my photos lead to identity theft?
In general, giving an app permission to access photos does not lead to identity theft, but many people have photos on their devices with personally identifiable information (PII) including driver’s licenses and Social Security cards. Granting an app permission to access photos increases the chances that this type of personal information could fall into the wrong hands.
Sometimes, app users may also have photos that may contain names, addresses, and email information. This information could be used to target a user with phishing attacks or other malicious activities.
Can I decide which photos an app has access to?
It depends on the app. Some apps allow a user to select which photos to give permission to while others ask for permission that covers all of the photos on the device. If a user is uncertain which photos an app can access, they can once again view the app’s privacy policy or Terms of Service for insight. If an app’s user wishes to restrict the photos the app has access to and there does not appear to be a way to limit the access, they may want to consider whether that app is for them or if another app may be a better choice.
Can I revoke permission to access photos from an app once it’s given?
A user can revoke permission to access photos once that permission is given through the settings on their device. To revoke permission, a user must go to their device’s settings and find the app in question. Depending on the device, the option may be called “Privacy”, “Permissions”, or “App Settings”. In this section, the user should be able to find a list of permissions that the app is allowed to access. They then need to locate the permission related to accessing photos and switch it to “off”. This will revoke the app’s permission to access their photos.
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When using AWS, what tools and services are essential for my app?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud-based computing platform owned by Amazon.com. It provides services and tools for software developers that allow them to concentrate on coding without needing to worry about the required infrastructure that must be in place for them to do so. The types of services that AWS provides include compute services, storage services, database services, networking services, management services, analytics services, security services, and application services. The tools and services that AWS offers are vast, with over 200 currently to choose from. If you choose to use the AWS platform to develop your app, however, there are a few specific services that are utilized by just about every app that is developed. They include the following:
- Amazon EC2 (Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud)
- Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Storage)
- Amazon S3 (Amazon Simple Storage Service)
- Amazon RDS (Amazon Relational Database Service)
In this article, we will give an explanation of each service as well as what the potential cost of using the service might be.
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2)
Amazon EC2 provides secure, resizable compute capacity in the cloud which basically amounts to users renting virtual machines. Each virtual machine, which is called an “instance,” is then loaded with the operating system of the user’s choice and can be used to run applications, to store and process data, and to host websites. Amazon EC2 can also be used to launch apps quickly and efficiently and to manage them across multiple servers.
Amazon EC2 provides a wide selection of instance types which include the following:
- Amazon EC2 A1 Instances. Powered by AWS’s custom-designed Graviton2 processors. They are optimized for scale-out workloads such as containerized microservices, web servers, gaming, and media processing.
- Amazon EC2 C5 Instances. Optimized for compute-heavy workloads. They are the ones to consider for high-performance computing, machine learning, and video encoding.
- Amazon EC2 M5 Instances: Designed for general purpose workloads such as web servicers, batch processing, and gaming.
- Amazon EC2 R5 Instances. Optimized for memory-intensive workloads such as in-memory database, distributed web scale in-memory caches, and real-time big data analytics.
- Amazon EC2 T3 Instances. Designed for burstable workloads such as web servers, development environments, and small databases.
For these instances, the user can choose from varying combinations of CPU, memory, storage, and networking capacity. This allows the user to pick the mix of resources that will best meet their needs. It also provides users with a range of security and networking options which allows them to configure their instances to meet their specific security and networking requirements. Amazon EC2 is designed to help businesses scale and grow by providing access to as much power as they need on demand and by charging for only the memory that is used. It also completely eliminates the need for expensive hardware that can take long amounts of time to set up and configure.
AWS offers a free tier of EC2 Linux and Windows micro instances for the first 12 months of service which includes 750 hours of service per month. EC2’s prices vary depending on the instances chosen and the time you spend using the instance. They charge by the hour or the second depending on the instance you run. There are no upfront payments or commitments required. To save money, AWS also offers spot instances. Spot instances use spare Amazon EC2 computing capacity at a huge discount. You can also sign up for their savings plan, which will provide a discount for using a consistent amount of usage over an extended period of time. To qualify for the savings plan, you do have to sign a commitment.
Amazon Elastic Block Storage (EBS)
Amazon EBS provides block-level storage for the data associated with the applications that are run by Amazon EC2. It is basically a virtual hard drive. Amazon EBS stores data that needs to be accessed quickly and frequently. This data can include databases, log files, application data, and media files and is persistent. This means that the data will remain there even if the computer or server it is being served from is powered down.
Amazon EBS tends to be more reliable than traditional hard drives and has a number of other advantages:
- It can also be accessed from anywhere since the information is stored on the cloud.
- It can be resized without taking the instance that is being used offline.
- It can be backed up and restored with just a few clicks.
- The data on an EBS system can be moved from one EC2 instance to another.
In order for Amazon EBS to be used with an instance, a user must determine the volume or capacity that is needed and attach it to an instance in Amazon EC2.
AWS offers a free tier of EBS which includes 30 GB of storage per month in addition to 2 million input/output operations per second (IOPS) and 1 GB of snapshot storage. Snapshot storage are point-in-time copies of your block data. If you go over the 30GB of free storage, the standard charge is $0.05/GB-month. EBS also offers different types of storage, all of which come with their own price.
Amazon Simple Storage System (S3)
Amazon S3 is a cloud storage platform that provides an easy way to store and retrieve files from the cloud. It can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection and is ideal for storing large amounts of data such as photos, videos, music, and documents among other files. It is also cost effective because the user only pays on the actual amount of data being stored.
Data stored using S3 are placed into large “folders” called buckets. To use S3, you create a bucket, assign it a name, set its permissions and access controls, and then assign data to it. The user can control who has access to their data and set up automatic backups. The items placed in the bucket are encrypted, highly secure, and are available via the internet using HTTP.
When using S3, you pay to store items in your buckets, and the rate you’re charged has many variables to consider. Those variables include the size of the items you’re storing, for how long you are storing them. S3 also has different storage classes which are based on how often you need to access your data, and the rate varies depending on the class or classes you choose. AWS offers a pricing calculator that will help you get an estimate of the AWS services you intend to use.
Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)
Amazon RDS is a cloud-based service that provides users with a relational database for their applications. In a relational database, data is organized into tables with columns and rows. The columns represent attributes of data and the rows contain records or instances with those attributes. This allows users to quickly and easily access data from multiple sources without needing to search through multiple tables or needing to install and manage a database. Amazon RDS also allows users to easily replicate and make backups of their data.
Amazon charges for RDS services based on the total data that is transferred from all sources for backups, replication, and access over the Internet. The price is also dependent on the instance types you have, your database engine, and the regions in which the data is stored. Using RDS can sometimes become a bit somewhat pricey. If you are on a budget or just wish to avoid the cost, you can look into using MySQL instead and determine whether it may suit your needs. MySQL is open-source and free, but it requires users to have a good understanding of database concepts and administration. MySQL will not always be a suitable alternative, however, and RDS does charge to run MySQL. Plus, switching from one relational database service to the other can be difficult, costly, and result in lost data, so you may want to wisely choose which service to use. It is often best to choose which one you believe will suit your needs and then stick with it.
Matraex is a premier app and software development company located in Boise, Idaho. We want to help you become informed in app development concepts so you can make informed decisions and be a consumer who is “in the know”. Feel free to leave us a question on our Google Business Profile, contact us with your questions, or leave a message in the chat feature on our website. We look forward to answering your questions.
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What Three Countries Have the most App Developers?
The top three countries with the most app developers include the United States, India, and China. Other countries with a large amount of app developers include the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, Canada, and Germany. The exact number of developers in each country is unknown and appears to be in a constant state of flux, but the info provided here is the most accurate that can currently be found.
The United States
As of February, 2023, the United States reportedly has more app developers than any other country, with somewhere between 3 and 5 million by most accounts, but some numbers reported as high as six million. The U.S. is known for creating a wide range of different apps. These apps include gaming, productivity, finance, and health and lifestyle apps, with many of the apps focused around the consumer. There are also many app development companies that create business apps in the United States including Salesforce, Oracle, and Zendesk. Popular apps that originated in the United States include the following:
- Instagram: a popular social media platform.
- Snapchat: a popular social media platform for sharing personal videos and pictures.
- Uber: used to get rides and items delivered.
- WhatsApp: a popular communication platform that allows you to call or text anywhere.
- Netflix: a popular video stream platform.
- Pinterest: a social media platform for sharing and selling items through memes and pictures.
India
India is #2 for the amount of app developers. The exact number is all over the place, but there appears to be over 3 million. There is a definite chance that India will overtake the United States in the next few years with its number of app developers. Mobile banking, lifestyle, travel, social media, and eCommerce apps are the most popular apps built in India. Popular Indian apps include the following:
China
China is listed as having the third highest number of app developers, though it may actually be higher. Once again, the numbers are everywhere with anywhere from 2 million to 8 million developers is a possibility, and China greatly surpassing the rest of the world in the amount of people who use apps. China has over 989 million internet users out of its population of 1.4 billion. China also exports more software than any other country. Messaging, gaming, and entertainment apps are the most popular apps developed in China. Several of the most popular apps developed in China include
- WeChat: an instant messaging, social media, and mobile payment app. It became the world’s largest standalone mobile app in 2018, with over 1 billion subscribers.
- TikTok: a platform in which users download and share short, personalized videos
- Pinduoduo: an eCommerce platform that connects farmers and those in the agriculture industry directly with consumers.
- Alibaba: an eCommerce platform that allows buying, selling, manufacturing, and personalizing of products.
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What Is an IP Address?
What can you learn by knowing an IP address?
By knowing an IP address of a device, you can learn the following information:
- The geographic location of a device. Most IP address formats allow you to determine the country, region, and city a device is located in. For example, IP addresses from the United States generally begin with “192.” “172.16”, or “10”.
- The type of network a device is connected to. Using the above example, “192” is reserved for small networks, “172” is reserved for medium-sized networks, and “10” is designed for large networks.
- The type of device. Certain IP address formats can help you identify the type of device, though you may not be able to determine that info from the IP address alone and more information might be needed. Those devices can include computers, routers, or servers to name a few.
- The owner of the device. An IP address can help you identify the whether the owner of the device is an individual or a business entity. It may also give you clues on who the owner is, though that information is difficult to ascertain.
- The operating system and software installed on the device. Certain IP address formats can help you determine the type of operating system and the software installed on the device.
Does the IP address of a device change when its physical location changes?
The IP address of a device does usually change when its physical location changes. When a device is connected to the internet, it is assigned a unique IP address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). If the device is moved to a new physical location, it will be assigned a new IP address by the new ISP or by the existing ISP if the ISP doesn’t change. The IP address changes because the ISP needs to be able to track the device’s location to provide the best service.
As for cell phones and other mobile devices, an IP address is assigned to a mobile device by the cellular service when the phone is connected to their network. Mobile phones have dynamic IP addresses. This means that a new IP address is assigned each time the phone connects to the network from a different location. This allows the network to keep track of the device as it moves to different locations. Adversely, it does make it much more difficult to track a mobile phone through an IP address.
How do businesses use IP addresses?
Businesses use IP addresses for a number of purposes. They use them to identify and connect to computers, printers, and other devices on their networks. They also use IP addresses to connect with external networks including the internet. Businesses may also use IP addresses to restrict access to their networks, such as a user who is accessing their website from a different computer for the first time. Because businesses can use IP addresses to restrict access, they can also protect their systems against malicious activity such as viruses. This is done by allowing networks to filter out traffic from unwanted sources.
IP addresses also allow businesses to track usage and trends. These trends might include to determine where they are getting most of their traffic from, to see frequent visitors, and to track specific visitors to see their visits to the business’s website and app prior to making a sale.
Since IP addresses identify a user’s location, they can also be used by businesses to provide location-based services such as specialized advertising. In this manner, they can target their advertising efforts to specific geographic areas. This can help them to save money on advertising and to ensure that their ads are seen by the most relevant audience.
Businesses can also use IP addresses to implement network security measures such as firewalls. Firewalls are implemented by allowing only certain IP addresses to visit a site or by tracking down and blocking IP addresses of malicious actors.
How can IP addresses be used to commit cyber attacks?
IP addresses can be used in a number of ways to commit cyber attacks. Two of the most common ways include a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, a man-in-the-middle attack or through port scanning:
DDoS Attack: In a DDoS attack, a malicious actor sends a large amount of traffic to a targeted IP address. The goal is to overwhelm the system and make it unavailable for legitimate users. In a DDoS attack, the attacker can use automated tools to generate requests from multiple IP addresses to make the attack difficult to detect and the perpetrator difficult to locate.
Man-in-the-Middle Attack: In a man-in-the-middle attack, the attacker intercepts communications between two IP addresses to an IP address that they control. By doing so, the attacker can monitor or modify the data as it passes from one user to another to possibly gain access to sensitive information from either party
A third way that cyber criminals can gain access to information is through port scanning. Port scanning involves sending data to a targeted system to determine what ports on the system are open, closed, or filtered in some way. This is often used by cyber criminals to identify potential targets and by security professionals to identify potential weaknesses of a system.
An IP address can be hidden by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN uses encryption and authentication technologies to ensure that the data being sent over a public network is secure which can prevent cyber attacks. VPNs are commonly used to securely access and share data over a public network as though the device was connected to a private network. These public networks can include anywhere that provides public internet access including coffee shops and libraries. VPNs are frequently used by remote workers.
VPNs are also used to bypass geographic restrictions and censorship. This allows users to access websites and services that may be blocked in their country. This can be a useful tool for journalists, activists, and other individuals who may need access to information that is otherwise restricted.
The problem with VPNs is that they can also be used for cyber attacks. When using a VPN, an attacker would remain anonymous throughout an attack.
Matraex is a premier app and software development company located in Boise, Idaho. Do you have any questions regarding app development or any of today’s computer technology? Matraex would like to be your go-to source for unbiased answers. Contact us, leave a message on the live chat feature on our website, or place a question on our Google Business Profile page. We look forward to answering all of your tech questions so you can be an informed consumer.
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What Is a Phishing Scam?
A phishing scam is a type of cybercrime in which criminals send emails or messages that appear to come from a legitimate source such as a bank, government agency, or payment processing service. They then use the email or message to persuade the recipient to disclose confidential information. This information can include account numbers, passwords, or credit card information.
This article will answer the following questions:
- How did “phishing scam” get its name?
- What are the five most common phishing scams?
- What is the intention of malicious software?
- What about ransomware?
- What types of businesses or organizations do phishing scams pose as?
- How can you tell a phishing scam from the real thing?
- How can I protect myself from a phishing scam?
How did “phishing scam” get its name?
The term “phishing” is a play on words and a variation of the word “fishing”. Fake emails, messages, and websites in a phishing scheme are used as lures to “fish” for personal or sensitive information.
What are the five most common phishing scams?
The five most common types of phishing scams include the following:
- Fake Websites. The scammers create a replica of a legitimate website that looks just like the real thing. They then use it to collect sensitive information including usernames and passwords in addition to credit card and banking information.
- Spear Phishing. The scammers send targeted fake emails to specific individuals or groups of people. The emails appear to come from a legitimate source such as a colleague or friend. The message will usually contain a link or attachment. When the link or attachment is accessed, it will download malicious software or take the user to a malicious website. The malicious software or website is then used to gain access to sensitive information or to install malware on the user’s computer.
- Malware. The scammers send malicious software or links to malicious websites that can infect a computer with viruses or steal personal information. They can also infect a computer with ransomware.
- Fake Updates. They send fake software updates or security patches that appear to be from a legitimate source but are actually malicious software.
- SMS Phishing (Smishing). They send text messages to individuals that appear to come from a legitimate source. The messages, in turn, contain malicious links.
What is the intention of malicious software?
The intention of malicious software, also known as malware, is to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system or network. Malware is typically designed to perform one or more of the following activities: steal data, monitor user activity, deliver spam and malicious links, launch denial-of service attacks, or even take control of a system. A Denial of Service (DoS) attack prevents legitimate users from accessing a target service or system. This is typically accomplished by flooding the targeted service or system with a large amount of traffic or requests. This causes the service or system to become overloaded and unresponsive. DoS attacks can be used to cause a service or system to become temporarily unavailable or to cause a permanent denial of service.
Once on a system, malware can collect and transmit sensitive data to the attacker. This can include passwords, financial information, and other confidential information. Additionally, malware can be used to create a backdoor, which allows the attacker unauthorized access to the system and data.
What about ransomware?
Another type of malicious software that is the goal of attackers is ransomware. Ransomware is designed to block access to a computer system or its data until a ransom is paid. In some cases, ransomware will display a message to inform the user of the encryption placed on their system and then to demand payment for the decryption key. In addition to malicious attachments or links to malicious websites in phishing emails, ransomware can also be spread through vulnerable networks such as those with weak passwords or outdated software. Ransomware can be extremely damaging to individuals and organizations, as it can prevent victims from accessing their data and systems until the random is paid. In some cases, ransomware can even spread to other devices if they are connected to the same network.
What types of businesses or organizations do phishing scams pose as?
Phishing scams can pose as many types of legitimate businesses, but some businesses and organizations are used more than others:
- Banks/Financial Institutions. Phishers often pose as banks or other financial institutions to attempt to acquire access to personal information about users. They may send emails or text messages asking for verification of sensitive information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, passwords, and Social Security numbers.
- Government Agencies. Phishers also pose as government agencies such as the IRS or Social Security Administration. These messages appear to come from government sources but are fake. Their goal is to get users to provide personal information such as Social Security numbers or to pay money.
- Online Retailers. Phishers pose as online retailers such as Amazon or eBay to get users to provide personal information or credit card numbers. These messages may look like official emails from the particular retailer or may be sent through phishing websites.
- Social Networking Websites. Phishers sometimes pose as social networking websites such as Facebook or Twitter to get users to provide personal information or to click on malicious links. These messages may contain false promises of free gifts, discounts, or access to exclusive content.
- Payment Processing Services: Phishers may pose as payment processing services such as PayPal or Venmo to get users to provide personal information or credit card numbers. These messages may also look like official emails or may be sent through phishing websites.
How can you tell a phishing scams from the real thing?
The intention of malicious software, also known as malware, is to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system or network. Malware is typically designed to perform one or more of the following activities: steal data, monitor user activity, deliver spam and malicious links, launch denial-of service attacks, or even take control of a system. A Denial of Service (DoS) attack prevents legitimate users from accessing a target service or system. This is typically accomplished by flooding the targeted service or system with a large amount of traffic or requests. This causes the service or system to become overloaded and unresponsive. DoS attacks can be used to cause a service or system to become temporarily unavailable or to cause a permanent denial of service.
Once on a system, malware can collect and transmit sensitive data to the attacker. This can include passwords, financial information, and other confidential information. Additionally, malware can be used to create a backdoor, which allows the attacker unauthorized access to the system and data.
How can I protect myself from phishing scams?
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from a phishing scam:
- Set your email to show a preview. If an email looks suspicious, don’t even open it.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, even from people you know. If an email seems suspicious in any way, don’t click on links or open attachments.
- Be wary of emails that include misspellings or poor grammar.
- Instead of responding to suspicious emails, call or contact the business or organization in question on your own.
- Don’t respond to emails that ask for your username, password, or other sensitive information. A legitimate company will not ask for that type of information via email.
- Pay attention to the URL of a website. If it looks suspicious, don’t enter info on the site.
- Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges.
- Use anti-virus and anti-malware software to protect your computer from malicious software.
- When available, use two factor verification.
Matraex would like to help you with all of your app development and technology concerns. Feel free to contact us, leave a question on our instant messaging feature on our website, or send us a question through our Google Business profile. We look forward to answering your questions.
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As an App Founder, What Do I Need to Know about Passwords?
Passwords are an essential part of any application or website security system and one of the most important security measures they can take to protect their app. They provide a layer of protection that prevents unauthorized access to your software and its data. Passwords also help to protect user data from being accessed by the wrong people. This can include credit card information, addresses, and other private information that could lead to malicious activity including identity theft. Furthermore, passwords are a way to validate user identity and to ensure that only authorized users can access an application and its data. Hence, the best passwords should be strong, unique, and regularly changed.
In this article, we will answer the following questions:
- How long and difficult should a password be?
- How often is it recommended that users change passwords?
- What types of businesses require a higher level of password security?
- What features can be added to my app to increase password security?
- What are negative consequences for setting password standards too low for my website or app?
How long and difficult should a password be?
The longer and more intricate a password is, the harder it will be to figure out and subsequently break into a system. The following are commonly recommended guidelines regarding length and complexity of passwords and includes some practices that will also keep your passwords safe:
- Create passwords that are at least 8 characters long. Ideally, a password should be 12 characters or more.
- Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Avoid using personal information in passwords. That includes names, birthdates, or addresses.
- Avoid using common words, phrases, or sequences, as they can easily be guessed.
- Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.
- Use a different, unique password for each online account and app. This will prevent unauthorized access to multiple accounts if one password is compromised.
- Don’t write down your passwords.
- Use a password manager for secure storage of complex passwords.
More characters, capital letters, numbers, and a special character or two can greatly increase the difficulty related to determining what a password is. Below is a chart showing exactly how longer and more intricate passwords greatly increase the amount of time it will take a computer to figure out a password.
How often is it recommended that users change passwords?
Passwords should be regularly changed, especially after major changes or updates to a website or app. It is also frequently recommended that passwords be changed every 3-6 months. Some businesses that deal with sensitive information and a number of government agencies require numbers to be changed every 30 days. Why? Passwords can be exposed over time, either through malicious activities or because of password reuse. By changing passwords, it ensures that if passwords were obtained, the person who acquired it cannot use it for any extended amount of time. Also, if passwords are reused on multiple accounts, changing the password regularly helps to ensure that if one account is compromised, other accounts are not also at risk.
What types of businesses require a higher level of password security?
While all businesses, organizations, and institutions should be concerned with password security, some are obviously at more risk for breaches than others:
- Banks and financial institutions. They store and manage customers’ financial information including credit card and Social Security numbers. Therefore, strong password security is essential to protect against data breaches and unauthorized access to this sensitive info.
- Health apps. They often store highly sensitive medical information including medical records, insurance information, and prescription information. In addition, they are subject to the HIPAA law that states that no sensitive patient info can be disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. Strong password security is necessary to ensure that information is kept confidential and to protect against potential data breaches.
- Retailers. Online businesses often retain their customers’ personal information. This information includes credit card numbers, home addresses, and phone numbers. Strong password security is necessary to protect the information from unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
- Government Agencies. Such entities often store and manage sensitive information including national security information, tax records, and other confidential information. Strong password security is needed to protect against unauthorized access to the information and data breaches.
What features can be added to my app to increase password security?
An app founder has many options to choose from to increase their app’s security:
- Requiring a minimum password length. This is done by setting a minimum character limit to passwords.
- Requiring a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols in a password.
- Requiring users to change their password every 3-6 months, possibly more regularly depending on the nature of the business.
- Two-factor authentication. This adds a second layer of security, such as a code sent to a user’s email or phone. It helps to ensure that only the intended user gains access to an account. It also prevents hackers from accessing an account, even if they have obtained the user’s password.
- Allowing users to utilize a password manager. This helps users generate strong, unique passwords that are unique for each of their accounts. It also helps to prevent users from using weak and easily guessable passwords that can easily be cracked.
- Logging failed password attempts and locking out users after a certain number of failed attempts.
- Adding Captchas to login requirements. A Captcha is a challenge response test that is required as part of the login process. This helps to make certain that the one logging in is human.
- Requiring one-time passwords when registering with an app. One-time passwords are temporary passwords that are only valid for a single use and are used to authenticate users on websites or applications.
- Adding biometric authentication. Biometric authentication uses a user’s physical characteristics such as fingerprints or voice recognition to verify their identity.
An app founder may want to discuss the different features that will increase app security with their app developer to determine what features would make sense for their app.
What are negative consequences of setting password standards too low for my website or app?
When you choose low standards for passwords on your website or app, you or your users may encounter a number of negative consequences:
- You and your users are at an increased security risk because you make it easier for hackers to guess passwords and to gain access to accounts. This could potentially lead to a security breach, which would put the website or app at risk of having user data exposed or stolen. It can also result in identity theft and financial loss for the app’s users.
- It may create a false sense of security for the app’s users. If users are allowed to set weak passwords, they may believe that their account is secure when, in reality, they are vulnerable to attack.
- It can lead to a poor user experience. Weak passwords are often easy to remember, but it could also lead to users forgetting their passwords or having to reset them frequently. This can result in frustration and a decreased desire to use the app.
- If a website or app has weak password standards, it could lead to a loss of reputation. This can be damaging to the brand, as users may be less likely to trust the website or app if they know their data is not secure.
- If a website or app does not adhere to the industry standards for password strength, it could be subject to fines or other penalties from regulatory authorities. This could be especially damaging for businesses or organizations that rely of their website or app for their operations and income.
Matraex is a premier app developer located in Boise, Idaho. Do you have a question about app development? Matraex would like to be your go-to place for answers. You can leave us a question on our Google Business Profile, contact us through our website, or leave a question via our chat feature on the website. Let us help you become more informed so you can make decisions that will best suit you.
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What is SaaS Software?
A SaaS, “Software as a Service,” application is a type of cloud computing application that is hosted by a third-party provider and is made available to customers over the internet. SaaS software and apps typically provide customers with business applications which are delivered on a subscription basis. Customers then pay a set fee on a regular basis, usually monthly or yearly, to access the application. Many SaaS apps offer free versions of the software that can be upgraded for more functionality. Many also offer a free or inexpensive trials of the software so users can determine if the app suits their needs prior to committing to a paid plan.
Questions answered in this article include the following:
What are the advantages of using SaaS software?
Incorporating SaaS apps into a business often has many advantages:
- Flexibility: SaaS applications are often highly scalable and can be customized easily to meet the changing needs of a business.
- Ease of Use: SaaS applications are usually easy to set up and use. This allows a business to start using them quickly with minimal effort.
- Automation: SaaS applications automate many manual processes. This saves businesses time and money.
- Accessibility: Saas applications are typically accessible from any device with an internet connection so users can access them from anywhere that has such a connection.
What are the disadvantages of using SaaS software?
SaaS software also has a number of disadvantages:
- Limited Control: Unlike traditional software, with SaaS apps, the user can only access and configure the application as much as the provider allows and cannot customize it beyond that point.
- Inability to Integrate: A business may not be able to integrate SaaS applications with their existing applications and systems. This is particularly true if a business needs to access data from multiple sources.
- Reliability: SaaS software can be unreliable because it is not accessible if the SaaS provider or the internet connection goes down.
- Expense: While most SaaS solutions are affordable, they are mostly subscription-based, so business can end up paying more than intended with multiple subscriptions. When utilizing SaaS software, it may be important to keep track of expenses so they don’t get out of hand.
Is SaaS software a good option for my business?
It depends. It can be, but it depends on the parameters of the business. SaaS software can be very cost effective for many businesses because the business does not need to purchase, install, and maintain the software themselves. If the business requires multiple users to access the application, however, it can potentially become very expensive. Also, since security is maintained by the host company who regularly monitors and updates the software, it tends to be very secure. It is hosted on the cloud, however, which tends to reduce security. In addition, if a business needs a lot of control over the software beyond what a provider allows or if they need to integrate many systems, SaaS software may not be the best solution. Whether SaaS software will be a good option for a business depends on their needs. Before choosing SaaS software, a business must evaluate its needs and whether SaaS software can meet those needs. Only they can decide if SaaS software will work for them.
What are the most common problems Saas software solves?
Below is a list of common problems that SaaS software can help with in addition to a few popular SaaS software solutions a business owner could possibly look into for each problem. This subject will be covered more in-depth with more specific SaaS solutions a business could consider in a future blog.
Collaboration
Businesses have used collaboration tools for a while, but with the onset of Covid and the need to collaborate away from the office, it became essential for teams to effectively work together without being in the same physical space. Google Drive and Dropbox both offer cloud-based file storage and collaboration solutions. Google Drive provides users with real-time, often free, collaboration with shared documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. They also offer a suite of office tools including Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Dropbox, on the other hand, provides users with secure file storage, online sharing, and synchronization capabilities.
File Sharing
In conjunction with collaboration, teams often need a way to share files, not only amongst themselves but also with others outside of the team including clients in some cases. Google Drive and Dropbox come to the rescue again with cloud-based file storage and sharing solutions. Google Drive allows users to securely share files with anyone and to control access the their files. Dropbox also enables users to share files quickly and securely.
Project Management
Business teams often need a way to manage projects which are being worked on by multiple members of a team. They need to keep track of who is doing what for a particular project and where in the process the project is. Asana and Trello both offer project management solutions. Asana is a project management platform that helps teams organize and track projects, tasks, and conversations. Trello enables users to create collaborative boards, lists, and cards to help manage and track projects.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Those in sales often have many contacts. In addition, they need to keep track of when to contact who, what was said, and who is in what stage of a sale. In addition, they need to constantly add to that contact list. There’s many components to juggle, and dropping the ball could mean losing a sale. Salesforce and Zoho offer SaaS CRM solutions. Salesforce is a cloud-based platform that helps sales teams manage customer data and relationships. Zoho offers businesses a suite of CRM tools that enable them to manage contacts, customer support, and sales activities.
Analytics
Tracking analytics has become an important part of business. Businesses today need to track how their website is performing and what is converting viewers into customers so they can take advantage of what is working. Analytics are also used by businesses to determine what needs to be changed or tweaked to help businesses grow. Google Analytics and Mixpanel both offer analytics solutions. Google Analytics helps businesses track and analyze website performance metrics such as page views, visitor behavior, and conversions. Mixpanel provides real-time insights into user behavior and engagement.
Email Marketing
Many businesses need a convenient way to keep track of email contacts and put them into groups as well as automate email and newsletter campaigns. In addition, they need to track how well their campaigns do so they can modify their attempts going forward. Mailchimp and Constant Contact both offer SaaS email marketing solutions. Mailchimp helps business manage and automate email campaigns and provides analytics on the campaigns. Constant Contact provides users with customizable email templates and a suite of tools to help business create, send, and track email campaigns.
Online Payments
Online businesses, regardless of whether they supply goods or services, often need a convenient, secure, and reliable way to take payments online. PayPal and Stripe are examples of SaaS software that provides users with ways to both send and receive money, process payments online, and keep track of sales received. They also provide tax documents of income when needed.
Video Conferencing
Covid also made many businesses rethink and come up with alternatives to in-person meetings. They couldn’t happen during the height of the pandemic, and no one knew how long it would be before things would return to “normal”. Hence, video conferencing, which existed prior to Covid, became an essential business tool and has continued to be in wide use ever since. Zoom and Skype offer SaaS video conferencing solutions. They both provide users with high-quality video, audio, and text chat in addition to screen sharing and recording capability.
Document Automation
Businesses needed a way to not only share documents but to allow other parties to sign documents in a secure way that would be legally binding for customers and clients, as well as for onboarding/offboarding employees. DocuSign and HelloSign offer document automation solutions. They both enable businesses to securely send, sign, and manage documents including important contracts.
Human Resources
Businesses often do not have the means to hire a full-time, dedicated HR specialist, but SaaS HR solutions have automated the process for many businesses. Two such programs are BambooHR and Workday. BambooHR helps businesses manage employee data and automate HR processes. Workday provides users with a unified platform to manage payroll, time and attendance, talent, and performance reviews.
Matraex is a custom app development company based in Boise, Idaho, and we would like to be your go-to source for answers to your app development and technology questions. Feel free to contact us, leave a note on our website’s instant messaging feature, or leave us a question on our Google Business Profile. We look forward to hearing from you.
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What Is a Responsive Website?
A responsive website is a website that is designed to respond to the user’s behavior and environment based on the screen size, platform (desktop monitor, tablet, phone and so on), and orientation (whether portrait or landscape) of the device they are using. A responsive website uses fluid, proportion-based grids and flexible images to create a dynamic, flexible website that provides a great user experience that looks great on any device.
Questions that will in answered in this article include the following”
- Why is it important to have a responsive website?
- What are the negative consequences of not having a responsive business website?
- What are some common misconceptions about responsive websites?
- How can I tell if my website is responsive?
- If I am using a website builder, do I need to worry about my website being responsive?
- How do I make my website responsive?
Why is it important to have a responsive website?
Websites are viewed in many different ways and on many different devices. Long gone are the days of a website being viewed on a desktop monitor most of the time. The platforms used to access a website depends on the target audience and the content of the website, but the trend for many years has leaned heavily towards mobile devices. According to Oberlo, just ten years ago, over 90% of website traffic occurred on desktop computers. By late 2022, those figures had totally changed. Now, over 60% of all web traffic comes through mobile devices, with over 50% of all website visits coming through such devices.
In addition, more and more people are accessing websites through other internet-capable devices. These devices include wearable devices and their car’s navigation systems among other platforms. It is important that your website can be viewed properly regardless of the device that is being used because it allows users to have a better user experience, and the better the experience, the more likely they will spend more time visiting and interacting with the website. Google also rewards websites that are optimized for mobile devices by ranking them higher in search engine results, so having a responsive website is also important for SEO.
What are the negative consequences of not having a responsive business website?
There are a number of potential negative consequences of a website not being responsive.
- Loss of Traffic: Without a responsive website, some users may find it difficult to access the website on their mobile devices. This could lead to a decrease in website visits. Customers may also be unable to find what they’re searching for on the site.
- Poor User Experience: Since the content and design may not be displayed correctly on mobile devices, users may have a poor experience. This could cause customers to leave the website and not return.
- Lower Search Engine Rankings: Since search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly websites, not having an optimized site could result in lower ranking in search engine results. That could make it more difficult for customers to find a business’s website.
- Missed Opportunities. An unresponsive website might miss out on potential customers who use mobile devices to search for products or services. Therefore, it could also miss out on potential sales and leads.
- Reduced Conversions: A website that is not optimized for mobile devices will often have a reduced conversion rate since it is more difficult for customers to complete purchases or take desired actions when using a mobile device.
What are some common misconceptions about responsive websites?
There are several misconceptions about responsive websites which sometimes hold keep website owners from designing their website to be responsive or getting it that way once they discover that the website is unresponsive:
- Responsive Websites Require a Separate URL. A common misconception is that a responsive website requires a separate website address or URL. They actually use the same URL as a non-responsive website, but the content and design of the website is displayed differently depending on the device used to view the site.
- Responsive Website Are More Difficult to Build. Another misconception is that responsive websites are harder to build and therefore require more time, effort, and money than a nonresponsive site. A responsive website may require more planning than a standard website, but it’s still a process that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.
- Responsive Websites Are Not SEO Friendly. As already discussed, responsive websites are actually more SEO friendly because they are favored by Google. Also, they are better than having separate desktop and mobile websites because they have the same content and code which makes them easier for search engine crawlers to index.
- Responsive Websites Load Too Slowly: Responsive websites can be optimized for speed just like any other website. The speed of a website depends on how it is coded and hosted, not on its design.
How can I tell if my website is responsive?
Many website builders, like WordPress, provide tools that will allow you to “see” what a website will look like on a desktop monitor, on a tablet, and over a mobile phone. It may be a good idea to use those tools regularly, particularly when you make changes to a website, to get an idea of what your website looks like on various devices. These tools are not 100% accurate, however. No tools can account for all possible screen sizes or device types nor can they always accurately reflect the performance of a website in an actual environment.
There are other tools available online as well, such as the Website Responsive Testing Tool, that can help you determine if a website is responsive. Tools such as this site will analyze a website and give you a report on its responsiveness. This can be a helpful way to test a website quickly and easily.
The only surefire way to determine whether a website is responsive, however, is to actually look at it on various devices such as a tablet and a mobile phone. If the website looks different on each device, but all of the content is still readable and it’s easy to navigate, then the website is probably responsive.
If I am using a website builder, do I need to worry about my website being responsive?
If you use a website builder, you should still worry and check for website responsiveness, but it may not be as much of a factor as creating a website from scratch. Many popular website builders such as WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace, among others, come with pre-designed templates that are designed to be responsive, but that doesn’t mean they always are. When designing a website, regardless of method of doing so, you may wish to check your website on different devices to ensure that it is truly responsive.
How do I make my website responsive?
- Add the following ‘meta’ tag to your HTML Head:
<meta name=”viewport” content=”width=device-width, initial-scale=1″>
By doing so, you are styling your meta tag as code. - Some markup languages, such as pure HTML, tend to be responsive by nature, but you are very limited to what you can do with just HTML.
- You can use a CSS Flexbox/Grid. CSS dictates how a document looks and controls its responsiveness, and this will allow you to resize items depending on the size of the screen.
- Add breakpoints that will change the design of the website when it starts looking awkward on different sized devices. This includes having a single column of images and text on narrow-screened devices that changes to two or even three columns on wider screens. You can also use a different font size for different break points to increase its readability.
- Set images and other elements to 100vw. By doing so, the elements will be able to resize with the size of the screen.
Matraex is a software and app development company in the northwestern United States. Do you have any app development or technology questions? We would like to provide unbiased answers so you can feel confident making app development or technology-related questions. Feel free to contact us via our website, leave us a note via the live messaging feature on our website, or call us at (208) 344-1115. We look forward to answering all of your questions so you can make informed decisions that are right for you.
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