Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Ruby on Rails Integration Testing with Minitest and Capybara


http://blog.andolasoft.com/2017/01/rails-integration-testing-minitest-capybara.html


Hi Guys! I am back again with one more article about ruby on rails. 

I hope this is the right time to share one of my technical stuffs on ruby on rails after sharing PHP and Mobile stuffs.

Minitest and Capybara: integration testing demystified

In this article, I am going to share my own experience and ideas of ruby on rails integration testing using Minitest and Capybara and tell you the process how it serves as one of the most preferred alternative for controller test.

A lot of you must have heard about Capybara but still for those who are new to this - 

Capybara is an acceptance test framework used for web applications and supports developers in integration testing of Ruby on Rails applications with Minitest.

So, let’s get into the details about Capybara, Minitest and Integration Testing

Minitest is the default and a complete testing suite for Ruby application, which supports ancillary test-driven development (TDD), behavior-driven development (BDD), mocking, and benchmarking for fast, clean and reliable test results.

Whereas, Capybara is the acceptance test framework for web applications and frequently used for end-to-end testing in Rails Applications. 

Rails developer can suggest user on web page and Capybara provides API to interact with web page.

Integration Testing are used to test the most important workflows of applications and test different fragments of application together while unit testing inspects the individual part of the application work.

Before sharing the real process how to use Capybara with Minitest for integration testing of your Ruby on Rails applications, let me tell you the prerequisites of this testing process.

Ruby version 2.3.3, Rails version 5.0.0.1, 

Minitest version 5.10.1, and Capybara version 2.11.1 are required for the smooth operation and you can use gem install rails to get started.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Mobile Banking Pros and Cons plus some Helpful Tips




Mobile Banking is gaining popularity at a substantial rate. Technology is shifting to a notch higher every single day and it’s required to be in-sync with it at all times. E-commerce, Products, e-Wallets and even Banks are offering services through mobile now.


For today, let us talk about mobile services provided by your own bank;


YOU TRANSACT, MAKE PURCHASES, MANAGE ACCOUNT & almost everything.

But, the most important question – HOW SECURE IS YOUR MOBILE BANKING SERVICE!

Well, in this article, I will tell you about the pros, cons and some very important tips to keep in mind while playing with your bank application through mobile.


"The mobile industry is very dynamic; we make sure we're up-to-date."

-         Dottie Yates

Senior Vice President of the e-platforms team. (Bank of America)

(Source: bankrate.com)


In a financial year, more than 53% smart phone user stake the help of mobile banking services to manage their daily banking chores. 


Near about 35% users are from USA – that’s a big chunk


Some more statistics to let you know the present situation of “Mobile Banking Services” 


According to 2015 survey in USA: mobile banking is used by 62.1% people - those who earned less than $25,000 and used by 45.6 % earning in between $40,000 to $74,999.


Different Medias to access banking services in USA

  

On “cbsnews.com”, US Federal Reserve survey has stated that:
 
87% of U.S. adults have mobile phones; out of them 71% are Internet-enabled with the possibility of 10% increase in the use of mobile phones.

More than 39% adults are using mobile banking and possibility of 33% increase in the uses of 2013. 

Banks are taking quick actions to provide user-friendly and highly secured mobile banking with the help of mobile apps. They are taking it very seriously and are into the process of Augmented Mobile Application Development – to make sure banking services are highly protected.

Mobile banking has become a standard, but still it has certain pros and cons. Prior to using it, people must be aware about mobile banking and its security. Let me explain in detail;

Pros of Mobile Banking

No more standing in long ques for transferring money for your parents living across the state or renewing you cheque book. Gone are the days of pain that people used to go through earlier. Nowadays, even my Grandma uses her iPhone to transfer money to her sister living in Texas. Things have got pretty easier. 

Banking and financial sectors are developing secure and user-friendly mobile apps for different types of smart phone operating systems.

The most important benefits of mobile banking
  • Facility of account access and management with all the information in your palm
  • Any payment, transaction and transfer made easy
  • Save time with error free transaction
  • Easy to use
  • You are able to see – all your historical transactions (to understand how your spending was and where exactly you did)
Cons of Mobile Banking

Besides all the advantages (which we agree!) - Security is a major hitch.
With the increase of technology - there are groups of hackers and phishers who make sure your bank account is compromised. Cyber theft – is a potential concern and a mobile transaction is a target the hackers set first in their priority list. 

Let us have a look at the drawbacks on where mobile banking needs some improvements.


  • Improvisation on transaction security
  • Reduction of transaction issue.
  • Fixing of account access and balance access issues 
  • Better user interface and user experience issues  

  •   

    Wednesday, January 18, 2017

    IOS Privacy and Data Security Tips that You Should Know


    As the stats speak: More than 4.61 billion mobile phone users globally exist as you read this article and the probability is more than 6 billion at the end of 2019, out of which most of them are iOS users. 

    iOS smart phones are becoming an integral part of our everyday work life – which is why it’s highly important to stay ahead of the changing world. Have a look at the stats table below;

    More than 77% Australians and 72% USA people are using mobile phones, regularly. Overall 68% users are using their smart phones almost all the time where as 18 % USA users make payments and invoice generation through mobile.

    According to “Jerry Dischler”, Vice President of Product Management forGoogle AdWords
      
    "More Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers in 10 countries including the U.S. and Japan".

                                                                 (Source: adwords.googleblog.com)

    Now, going with the above statistics, it’s vital to maintain the privacy and security of data in smart phones. Data privacy on mobile devices can be possible only with the right procedure of settings.

    Most of the iOS mobile users trust on this platform to transact with their important data such as email communications, pictures and important documents.  

    Apple has come up with some quick options to run apps in iOS device with high-level security and it’s important that users know these details as ignoring this, might impact on loosing precious data thus loosing protection on their devices.

    In this article, I am going to tell you some of the privacy and data security tips on iOS device.

    Here we go… 

    1. Handle with care and Use common sense

    There is no such app to protect your phone data from yourself – yes, that’s true.

    Link jacking helps accessing the confidential data’s in the hands of stranger. More than 90% smart phone users are facing such types of problems. So, before accessing any app or link you must think once – 
     
    On exactly what are you accessing!

    What is the medium to access the data!

    Who is sending the data’s and the data location (yes, that very important)!

    Do avoid hitting on pop-up links that might take you to links/websites, compromising your data privacy.

    2. Avoid HTTP and Select HTTPS for Transaction

    Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the language of internet, used communication on the World Wide Web. 

    HTTPS (something like https://www.example.com) is the secure communication way, which encrypts the data between ends and helps in establishing a secure transaction – hence no chance of middle attacks. 

    Therefore, you need to transact only with HTTPS-enabled sites to protect your private data’s.

    3. Enable Device Security

    Using the built-in setting app in iOS the touch ID and pass code allow changing the longer numeric, alphanumeric, or custom pass code. Once you enable the biometric fingerprint reader, iOS keeps the data and credentials in a secure reserve until it gets the correct fingerprint.

    To access web based accounts and services you have to authenticate the extra layers of securities that provides better security and protection from unauthorized access to your devices.


    4. Take Backups Regularly

    Regular backups of all your personal data are very easy in iOS devices with wireless communication, which are compatible with iCloud or SpiderOak.  IOS device also supports encrypted backups using iTunes, that also helps in the formation and controlling of encrypted backups. 

    5. Update Device with latest iOS updates

    Updating device OS with latest updates are always helpful and it’s very much important for the protection of your personal data.

    The jailbreaking process was designed to "free your iOS device from within the confines of Apple's walled garden."

                                                                  
    (Source: techrepublic.com)

    It’s too very imperative to use secure and high quality iOS apps which help in protecting your device as well – that brings in the “app design factor”, which is also as important as other factors.