Effective team communication is an essential element to successful business life and a high level of productivity.&nbsp;

How to improve communication within a team? The question is very important: whatever the size of your company is, effective team communication will be an essential element to successful business life ✌ Interested? Then read our article to find out the best online tools for communication and collaboration 

How to Improve Team Communication with Digital Technologies

Read our detailed case study on how we&nbsp;tried out different video libraries for the Android version of our live video streaming app b.live.

Our detailed case study on how we tried out different video libraries for the Android version of our live video streaming app b.live, and what affected our final decision.

How We Integrated a Video Library Into Our Live Video Streaming App

Apple&rsquo;s App Transport Security (or simply ATS) is a networking security feature that forces an app to use an HTTPS web services connection instead of an HTTP. Apple added ATS as an optional feature with the introduction of iOS9 in 2015: developers were still allowed to switch it off. However, at WWDC 2016 Apple <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/14/apple-will-require-https-connections-for-ios-apps-by-the-end-of-2016/">announced</a> that starting from 2017 the feature will be mandatory for all apps submitted to App Store.
In this article, we are going to speak a little more about the App Transportation Security feature, its role in&nbsp;<a href="https://agilie.com/expertise/technology/mobile-development">iOS app development</a>, and learn how to add Domain Exceptions considering the new ATS requirements.
<h3>A bit more about ATS and its requirements</h3>
App Transport Security is basically a set of rules that ensure iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS apps and app extensions connect to web services they work with using secure connection protocols. This improves users&rsquo; privacy and integrity of their data and safeguards it from various malicious parties.
By configuring the NSAppTransportSecurity key&rsquo;s value in your app&rsquo;s Info.plist file, <a href="https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/General/Reference/InfoPlistKeyReference/Articles/CocoaKeys.html">you can configure</a> your network connections&rsquo; security in a different of ways.&nbsp;
You can:
<ul>
<li>add exceptions for insecure communication with particular servers;</li>
<li>disable ATS protection for web views or media, while still using the feature to protect other data in your app;</li>
<li>enable Certificate Transparency and other new security features.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Currently, ATS requires your app to connect to servers that:
<ul>
<li>support the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol version 1.2 or later;</li>
<li>use AES-128 encryption standard and SHA-2-signed certificates;</li>
<li>provide Forward Secrecy protocols.</li>
</ul>
However, since Forward Secrecy protocols aren&rsquo;t used by the majority of servers yet, Apple can accept this as a reasonable justification for including ATS in your app even if the servers it connects with doesn't provide Forward Secrecy.
Among other reasons that can justify including ATS in your app without meeting all requirements are:
<ul>
<li>the server is not fully ATS compatible;</li>
<li>you use a third-party service or SDK that does not support ATS at the moment;</li>
<li>you don&rsquo;t have the time or the resources to add the required functionality yet.</li>
</ul>
However, these exceptions are temporary: Apple just gives developers some time to get ready to use ATS as a mandatory with future updates. And the first requirements update is coming real soon.
<h3>The new requirements&nbsp;</h3>
Since January 1, 2017, the ATS feature will be mandatory for all apps on App Store and for the servers they connect with. If you don&rsquo;t want your app to be rejected from App Store, you must turn on and configure ATS according to the new requirements.
Here are three cases when an exempted ATS will lead to an app rejection from app store:
<ul>
<li>NSAllowsArbitraryLoads, which disables ATS for all domains. ATS can be re-enabled for specific domains by using an exception domain dictionary.</li>
<li>NSExceptionAllowsInsecureHTTPLoads, which disables ATS for a single domain, to allow insecure HTTP loads to that domain.</li>
<li>NSExceptionMinimumTLSVersion, which enables support for TLS versions that are older than 1.2 for a specific domain.</li>
</ul>
Other ATS exemptions such as, for example, NSExceptionRequiresForwardSecrecy can be enabled and won&rsquo;t trigger an App Store rejection.
However, the three blacklisted exemptions mentioned above can lead to rejection only in case the servers an app connects to are under the developer&rsquo;s control. For third-party servers, on the other hand, all ATS exemptions can be used: according to Apple, using a server you don&rsquo;t have control over is a reasonable excuse for developers to use the exemptions.
To do this, you will need to identify all third-party servers your app connects to and to add the ATS exemptions specific to the domains.
<h3>Why Apple now enforces ATS</h3>
Unlike web browsers that designate the type (HTTP or HTTPS) of connection they use, mobile apps don&rsquo;t let users know whether they use regular or secure web connection.&nbsp;
The initial implementation of ATS as an optional feature was surely only the first step towards increasing mobile app&rsquo;s security. Now as app developers got to know the new networking security feature, Apple takes one more step closer to ensuring secure web connection within their products.
<h3>How to add&nbsp;Domain Exceptions</h3>
Here&rsquo;s what you do to add a third-party domain as an exception for your ATS.
Add the NSExceptionDomains key to the NSAppTransportSecurity dictionary of your app&rsquo;s Info.plist&nbsp;file. The key&rsquo;s value is a dictionary which contains keys describing domain exceptions:
<pre><code class="language-xml">&lt;key&gt;NSAppTransportSecurity&lt;/key&gt;
&lt;dict&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSAllowsArbitraryLoads&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;false/&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSExceptionDomains&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;dict&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;agilie.com&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;dict&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSIncludesSubdomains&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;true/&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSExceptionAllowsInsecureHTTPLoads&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;true/&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;/dict&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;/dict&gt;
&lt;/dict&gt;</code></pre>
Here, we enable ATS and set a domain exception for agilie.com. The NSIncludesSubdomains key means we include all subdomains of this domain as exceptions, too. The NSExceptionAllowsInsecureHTTPLoads key allows the non-HTTPS requests for the domain and its subdomains. &nbsp;
Setting the value of the NSAllowsArbitraryLoads key to true applies the ATS rules to the domain and subdomains, while they will remain exceptions.
You can also add multiple domain exceptions at a time and apply the exceptions not only to the HTTPS protocol network requests but also to the configuration of the server your app connects to.
Here&rsquo;s an example:
<pre><code class="language-xml">&lt;key&gt;NSAppTransportSecurity&lt;/key&gt;
&lt;dict&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSAllowsArbitraryLoads&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;false/&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSExceptionDomains&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;dict&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;anotherdomain.com&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;dict&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSIncludesSubdomains&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;true/&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSExceptionMinimumTLSVersion&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;string&gt;TLSv1.0&lt;/string&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;/dict&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;onemoredomain.com&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;dict&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSExceptionRequiresForwardSecrecy&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;false/&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;/dict&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;agilie.com&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;dict&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSIncludesSubdomains&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;true/&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;key&gt;NSExceptionAllowsInsecureHTTPLoads&lt;/key&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;true/&gt;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;/dict&gt;
&nbsp; &lt;/dict&gt;
&lt;/dict&gt;</code></pre>
Now you know how to add domain exceptions. But will it be possible with the further ATS updates? Let&rsquo;s sum up what we know to expect so far.
<h3>The future of ATS</h3>
While the NSExceptionRequiresForwardSecrecy key won&rsquo;t lead to app rejection from App Store, this will probably change with the future ATS requirements updates. This is likely to happen as soon as more servers will provide the Forward Secrecy protocols.
Some hints were given during Apple&rsquo;s <a href="https://developer.apple.com/videos/wwdc2016">What&rsquo;s New in Security</a> presentation at WWDC 2016. Here&rsquo;s what you as an iOS developer should take into account next year:
<ul>
<li>The SHA-1-signed certificates won&rsquo;t be used since they are to be blocked by Google.</li>
<li>The 3DES TLS cipher suites are better&nbsp;to be disabled since they&rsquo;re only needed for the compatibility with the obsolete Windows XP.</li>
<li>You should start deploying the Certificate Transparency and OCSP Stapling (aka TLS Certificate Status Request) technologies to your app servers.</li>
</ul>
Luckily, Apple understands that it&rsquo;s impossible to cut all insecure connections at a time, and they are ready to make exceptions for those who can&rsquo;t meet all the requirements.
But don&rsquo;t rely on these exceptions heavily - their main purpose is to get you ready to use ATS as a mandatory feature in the nearest future. Apple wants you to provide greater security to your app and to people who use it, so complying with the new ATS requirements will help you build trust with your users and - ultimately - provide better services.

In this article, we'll speak&nbsp;about Apple's App Transportation Security feature and highlight its importance for mobile app development.

Apple's App Transportation Security feature, its importance for mobile app development, and learn how to add Domain Exceptions considering the new ATS requirements that will be introduced in 2017.

How to Add Domain Exceptions to Comply with Apple's New ATS Requirements 

Learn about the cost of building a banking app based on its features, dev process, UX/UI design, and wireframe.

Learn about the cost of building a banking app based on its features, dev process, UX/UI design, and wireframe.

Banking App Development Cost | Agilie

Blockchain has become a paradigm shift that changes the operations of different industries. Nevertheless, like any other disruptive technology, a lot of myths and misconceptions have appeared. We should differentiate between fact and fiction to use blockchain technology effectively and responsibly. We can better understand what blockchain is (and isn&rsquo;t), how it functions, and the varied applications it holds besides cryptocurrencies by clarifying these misconceptions.
<div id="form-description" class="form-description" data-title="Key Takeaways" data-text="Blockchain is not just about Bitcoin; it is the technology that can transform different fields. 

Blockchains are strong but not flawless, and being aware of the possible weak sections is a very important thing in keeping the network safe.

Educational investment and partnerships with software development experts are the main factors for businesses that will use blockchain technology.">
<div class="form-description-title">Key Takeaways</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Blockchain is not just about Bitcoin; it is the technology that can transform different fields.&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" aria-level="1">
Blockchains are strong but not flawless, and being aware of the possible weak sections is a very important thing in keeping the network safe.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Educational investment and partnerships with software development experts are the main factors for businesses that will use blockchain technology.
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation">&nbsp;Myth 1: Blockchain and Bitcoin Are the Same</h2>
Among the most common myths about blockchain technology is the confusion between the blockchain and Bitcoin. Blockchain and Bitcoin were created simultaneously, so they are widely believed to be the same thing. However, we must understand that blockchain is a much broader term. It is the technology that created Bitcoin. While Bitcoin is indeed the first and most famous application of this technology, equating the two is like saying that Google is the Internet.
Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger technology (DLT) that records transactions across multiple computers so that the records cannot be altered retroactively, without the alteration of all subsequent blocks and the consensus of the network.
This makes blockchain a naturally secure and transparent method of data and transaction recording.&nbsp;
Bitcoin is a type of digital currency based on blockchain technology and used for secure, anonymous, and decentralized financial transactions. The blockchain of Bitcoin acts as a public ledger for all the transactions in the Bitcoin network, thus, it is possible to transfer digital currency securely without the use of intermediaries like banks or governments.&nbsp;
Blockchain technology can be much broader than purely financial transactions. It can be used in different industries with various aims. Nowadays, many businesses are studying how <a href="https://agilie.com/blog/enterprise-blockchain-development-how-businesses-derive-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">enterprise blockchain development</a> can improve their operations.

Here are a few examples:
Healthcare: Blockchain can guarantee the safety of medical records storage and sharing. Thus, they are only available to authorized personnel and patients and lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment.​
Financial Services: Blockchain is a viable solution for international payments, real-time settlements, and improving transaction transparency and security.
Digital Identity:&nbsp; Blockchain can correct identity theft and fraud by adding digital identities that cannot be changed. For example, Estonia's e-Residency program is the first of its kind, a government-issued digital identity that allows entrepreneurs from anywhere in the world to operate and conduct business online in the EU.
Real Estate: Blockchain can simplify property transactions such as sales, leasing, and financing by reducing paperwork and improving transparency.
<a class="incut--wrap" style="transition-delay: 0s;" href="https://agilie.com/blog/the-evolution-of-blockchain-from-bitcoin-to-business-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="incut"><img style="height: 344px; width: 778px;" src="https://d3pxw3l8cozu05.cloudfront.net/images/f9e66e179b6747ae54108f82f8ade8b3c25d76fd30afde6c395822c530196169-1716280829344.png" width="100%" height="100%" />Learn more about the evolution of Blockchain from Bitcoin to business applications.</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Myth 2: Blockchain Transactions Are Always Anonymous</h2>
A frequent mistake people make about blockchain technology is that it is automatically anonymous to its users. However, the truth is more nuanced. Blockchain transactions are not strictly anonymous but pseudonymous.
Pseudonymity means that a user's identity is not directly tied to their blockchain transactions but rather to a digital pseudonym, typically a public key or a blockchain address. These addresses are like a sequence of letters and numbers, giving privacy but not total anonymity.
In contrast, anonymity would mean that the transactions are entirely disconnected from any identity, even a pseudonym, making them untraceable to the user. Blockchain does not usually provide this level of anonymity because the transaction history of each blockchain address is visible to anyone who accesses the blockchain.
Most blockchains are open ledgers, meaning that all transactions are visible to anyone who wishes to view them. This level of transparency ensures that while users' identities are not directly exposed, their transaction histories and patterns can be analyzed.<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 
<img src="https://d3pxw3l8cozu05.cloudfront.net/images/f9e66e179b6747ae54108f82f8ade8b3c25d76fd30afde6c395822c530196169-1716280901953.png" alt="Agilie Expert Tip infographic with a lightbulb illustration, offering advice for blockchain systems: educate teams on anonymity and pseudonymity, integrate privacy features like zero-knowledge proofs, update security protocols, plan scalability with privacy using decentralizing nodes or layer-two solutions, and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations." width="2256" height="1616" />
While basic blockchain transactions offer pseudonymity, several enhancements and tools can increase privacy:
1. Mixing Services: Services like CoinJoin allow multiple users to combine their transactions into a single transaction with multiple inputs and outputs. This mixing blurs the traceability of any single coin, making it more difficult to link wallets with identities.
2. Privacy-Focused Cryptocurrencies: Some cryptocurrencies, like Monero and Zcash, are designed specifically to enhance privacy. Monero uses ring signatures and stealth addresses to hide the transactions&rsquo; origins, amounts, and destinations. Zcash allows users to shield transactions completely through its zk-SNARKs technology, which enables transactions to be verified without revealing the sender, receiver, or amount.
3. Use of Multiple Addresses: Users can increase their privacy by using multiple wallets or addresses, dispersing their transactions across several points, which makes it more challenging to link them to a single identity.
<a class="incut--wrap" style="transition-delay: 0s;" href="https://agilie.com/blog/blockchain-tech-trends-how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-curve" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="incut"><img style="height: 344px; width: 778px;" src="https://d3pxw3l8cozu05.cloudfront.net/images/f9e66e179b6747ae54108f82f8ade8b3c25d76fd30afde6c395822c530196169-1716280997458.png" width="100%" height="100%" />Explore key blockchain technology trends and stay ahead in its innovation with insights and practical examples.</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Myth 3: Blockchains Are Unhackable</h2>
The idea that blockchains are completely unhackable is a frequently held misconception that can cause a dangerous level of complacency in security measures. While blockchain technology does offer robust security features, it is not immune to vulnerabilities. Knowing the security features employed and the situations in which breaches happen is very important for anyone who wants to use blockchain for their business.
Blockchain technology secures data through several mechanisms:
Cryptography: Every transaction on a blockchain is secured using cryptographic algorithms, which ensure that data can neither be altered nor read without the appropriate cryptographic key.
Decentralization: By distributing copies of the ledger across a network, blockchain reduces the risk of a single point of failure that could compromise the entire system.
Consensus Protocols: Blockchains use various consensus mechanisms, like Proof of Work (PoW) or Proof of Stake (PoS), to agree on the validity of transactions. These protocols prevent a malicious actor from changing even a single aspect of the blockchain.
<a class="incut--wrap" style="transition-delay: 0s;" href="https://agilie.com/expertise/fintech/blockchain-software" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="incut"><img style="height: 344px; width: 778px;" src="https://d3pxw3l8cozu05.cloudfront.net/images/f9e66e179b6747ae54108f82f8ade8b3c25d76fd30afde6c395822c530196169-1716281102044.png" width="100%" height="100%" />Learn more about our blockchain software development services.</a>
Despite these security measures, there are scenarios where blockchains can and have been compromised.
<h3 dir="ltr">Scenarios Under Which Breaches Have Occurred</h3>
51% Attacks: This type of attack happens when a single entity gains control of more than 50% of the network&rsquo;s mining hash rate or stake, allowing them to manipulate transactions and potentially double-spend coins.&nbsp;
Code Vulnerabilities: <a href="https://agilie.com/blog/secure-smart-contract-design-best-practices-in-solidity-programming" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smart contracts</a>, which are self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code, can contain vulnerabilities. One of the most famous incidents is the DAO attack on the Ethereum network. Hackers exploited a vulnerability in the DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) smart contract code to siphon off one-third of the DAO&rsquo;s funds.
Phishing and Social Engineering: End-user security is often the weakest link in a blockchain system. Phishing attacks can allow attackers access to blockchain assets, bypassing network security measures, to steal private keys or wallet credentials.
<img src="https://d3pxw3l8cozu05.cloudfront.net/images/f9e66e179b6747ae54108f82f8ade8b3c25d76fd30afde6c395822c530196169-1716281254703.png" alt="Agilie Expert Tip infographic with a lightbulb illustration, providing tips to improve blockchain security: conduct regular security audits, consider network security measures like decentralizing mining power or hybrid consensus mechanisms, educate users on securing private keys and recognizing phishing attempts, and implement multi-signature protocols with hardware wallets for offline storage of private keys." width="2256" height="1438" />
<h2 dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">Conclusion</h2>
The blockchain technology is often seen as highly popular and muddled at the same time.&nbsp; Falsified myths are only part of the misconceptions that can mislead such a fantastic technology. Similarly, proper professional knowledge and strategy can help blockchain perform to its potential in various fields.&nbsp;<a href="https://agilie.com/blog/your-own-cryptocurrency-from-scratch-everything-you-need-to-know-to-create-your-cryptocurrency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Building your own cryptocurrency</a> can be a strategic move for businesses seeking to innovate and tap into new digital markets.
At <a href="https://agilie.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Agilie</a>, we understand that dealing with a complex environment is also a significant challenge. This is why we create powerful blockchain systems and wish to educate our clients regarding the breadth of blockchain-utilizing services. Therefore, such solutions can be tailored to your industry's concrete necessities and problems.
<a class="incut--wrap" style="transition-delay: 0s;" href="https://agilie.com/contacts" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="incut"><img style="height: 344px; width: 778px;" src="https://d3pxw3l8cozu05.cloudfront.net/images/f9e66e179b6747ae54108f82f8ade8b3c25d76fd30afde6c395822c530196169-1716281316627.png" width="100%" height="100%" />Contact us to find out how our blockchain development services can help you achieve your goal.</a>

Discover the truths about blockchain technology as we debunk common myths and clarify its applications to empower businesses with informed integration.

Discover the truths about blockchain technology as we debunk common myths and clarify its applications to empower businesses with informed integration.

Blockchain Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction | Agilie

Looking to outsource software development? Explore 15 top countries in 2025 that offer the best balance of tech expertise, cost savings, and business-friendly environments.

Looking to outsource software development? Explore 15 top countries in 2025 that offer the best balance of tech expertise, cost savings, and business-friendly environments.

15 Best Countries to Outsource Software Development in 2025 | Agilie

Analyze the latest fintech software development trends. Clarify what impact the evolving digital technologies have on the industry.&nbsp;

Analyze the latest fintech software development trends. Clarify what impact the evolving digital technologies have on the industry. 

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Explore the technology of blockchain and banking industry, analyzing its benefits, challenges, and use cases.

Explore the technology of blockchain and banking industry, analyzing its benefits, challenges, and use cases.

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Gain insights on how to build a payment gateway from scratch, including its benefits, features, security aspects, and cost paradigm.

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