Free: Register for the 8th annual Pride Women Conference!

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Development Standards Technologies is proud to partner with the 8th annual Pride Women Conference!

This year’s theme is “I Survived: Surmounting Assault and Abuse,” and it promises to be a powerful event focused on empowering women and fostering a safe and supportive environment.

Here are the details:

  • Date: Friday, May 3, 2024
  • Time: 11 am
  • Location: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos

Join the inspiring convener, Ijeoma Anyiam-Osigwe, and a distinguished panel of speakers including legal professionals, advocates, and entrepreneurs.

This conference is a must-attend for anyone who wants to:

  • Learn strategies for overcoming assault and abuse
  • Connect with a supportive community
  • Advocate for positive change

Register today and be part of this important conversation!

Register for Free

We look forward to seeing you there!

Greenpeace International is Hiring Web Developers!

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Do you have a passion for environmental activism and a strong background in web development? Greenpeace International is looking for two Web Developers to join their team and help them achieve their goals!

Greenpeace is a global campaigning network that works to protect the environment and promote peace. In this role, you will be responsible for developing, reviewing, testing and deploying websites, themes and plugins to support their critical work.

To learn more about the qualifications and how to apply, visit the Greenpeace International careers website https://workfor.international.greenpeace.org/.

Here are some of the key qualifications they are looking for:

  • Several years of experience with web development
  • Strong skills in both backend and frontend development
  • Experience with testing methodologies and automation tools
  • Experience working in a remote and culturally diverse team
  • A passion for Greenpeace’s mission

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to make a difference!

Apply by Monday, April 29th!

Apply

Choosing the Appropriate Technology for a Startup

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Choosing the appropriate technology for a startup is essential for its success. Below are some recommendations to assist startups in making well-informed choices when it comes to selecting their technology stack:

1. Assess Your Business Requirements:

  • Compile a comprehensive list of the technical solutions, equipment, and devices that you currently utilize or will require in the future.
  • Evaluate how effectively your existing technologies fulfil your business needs.
  • Take into account scalability, security, and compatibility with other tools.

2. Stay Updated:

Keep a close watch on emerging technologies and trends.

  • Opt for technologies that are up-to-date and have active developer communities.
  • Outdated technologies can impede your growth and restrict your ability to adapt to evolving market demands.

3. Scalability:

Startups should choose technologies that can scale alongside their expanding user base. Cloud-based solutions like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud offer scalability and flexibility.

4. Understand Employee Skills:

  • Evaluate the technical skills of your team members.
  • Select technologies that align with their expertise.
  • If your team lacks certain skills, consider providing training or hiring experts.

5. Provide Training and Support:

Invest in training programs to help your team learn and master the chosen technologies. Ensure ongoing support to address any technical issues or challenges.

6. Have a Contingency Plan:

  • Technology failures can occur. Establish backup plans to minimize disruptions.
  • Regularly back up your data and consider redundancy for critical systems.

Remember that the ideal technology stack depends on your specific business goals, budget, and long-term vision. Seeking advice from IT specialists and testing different solutions can guide you in making well-informed decisions.

Key Aspects of Code Obfuscation

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Code obfuscation is a process used to modify source code in a way that makes it harder to understand or reverse engineer, while still maintaining its functionality. Developers employ code obfuscation techniques to protect their software from unauthorized access, tampering, and reverse engineering. Let’s explore some key aspects of code obfuscation:

Remove Superfluous Data

The first step in code hardening is to eliminate unnecessary elements from your code. This includes removing redundant functions, debugging information, and metadata. By streamlining your codebase, you reduce the attack surface and make it more challenging for attackers to find vulnerabilities.

String Encryption

Encrypting strings within your code can make it difficult for attackers to extract sensitive information. By converting strings into an encoded format, you enhance security without altering the program’s behaviour.

Process Order Obfuscation

Rearrange the order of instructions or functions in your code. This can confuse reverse engineers and disrupt their understanding of the program’s logic.

Memory Randomization

Randomize memory addresses or data structures used by your program. This prevents attackers from predicting memory layouts and exploiting vulnerabilities.

Naming Obfuscation

Rename variables, functions, and classes in a way that doesn’t reveal their purpose. Meaningless or deceptive names make it harder for attackers to decipher the code.

Control Flow Obfuscation

Alter the control flow of your program by introducing conditional jumps, loops, or other constructs. This confuses static analysis tools and makes it challenging to follow the program’s execution path.

Remember that while code obfuscation enhances security, it may also increase execution time and overhead. Striking the right balance between protection and performance is crucial for real-world applications.

Why not to use nulled WordPress Themes and Plugins

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Navigating the world of WordPress themes and plugins can be daunting, especially with the temptation of nulled (pirated or illegally obtained) themes and plugins. However, it’s crucial to understand the risks associated with using nulled WordPress themes and plugins. Here are several compelling reasons why you must avoid them:

1. Security Vulnerabilities

Nulled themes and plugins often contain hidden malicious code inserted by hackers. This code can compromise the security of your website, leading to malware infections, data breaches, and unauthorized access.

2. Lack of Updates and Support

Legitimate WordPress themes and plugins receive regular updates to address security vulnerabilities, introduce new features, and ensure compatibility with the latest version of WordPress. Nulled themes and plugins do not receive these updates, leaving your website vulnerable to security risks and compatibility issues. Furthermore, you won’t have access to customer support from the original developers if you encounter any issues.

3. Legal Risks

Using nulled themes and plugins is illegal and violates copyright laws. By downloading and using pirated software, you expose yourself to legal consequences, including fines and potential lawsuits from developers and copyright holders.

4. Poor Code Quality

Nulled themes and plugins are often poorly coded and lack proper documentation. This can lead to performance issues, website errors, and conflicts with other themes and plugins. In contrast, legitimate WordPress themes and plugins undergo rigorous testing and adhere to coding best practices to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

5. Blacklisting by Search Engines

Search engines like Google can detect websites using pirated software and may penalize them by lowering their search rankings or removing them from search results altogether. This can significantly impact your website’s visibility and traffic, ultimately affecting your online presence and business success.

6. Backdoor Access

Nulled themes and plugins may contain backdoors that allow hackers to gain unauthorized access to your website. Once inside, hackers can steal sensitive information, install malware, or hijack your website for malicious purposes.

7. Hidden Ads and Affiliate Links

Some nulled themes and plugins include hidden ads or affiliate links that generate revenue for the hacker. These ads can appear on your website without your knowledge or consent, detracting from the user experience and potentially driving visitors away.

8. Loss of Reputation

Using nulled themes and plugins can damage your reputation as a website owner or developer. Visitors may view your website as untrustworthy or insecure, leading to a loss of credibility and potential customers.

9. Compatibility Issues

Nulled themes and plugins may not be compatible with other WordPress themes, plugins, or updates, leading to website errors, broken functionality, and poor user experience.

10. Voided Warranties

Many legitimate theme and plugin developers offer warranties and guarantees to customers who purchase their products. However, by using nulled software, you forfeit any warranties or guarantees, leaving you without recourse if something goes wrong.

In summary, the risks associated with using nulled WordPress themes and plugins are extensive and far-reaching. It’s essential to prioritize the security, integrity, and legality of your website by investing in legitimate themes and plugins from reputable developers. By doing so, you can protect your website, your reputation, and your business from harm.

Common motivations to use nulled WordPress themes & plugins

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Despite the associated risks, here are some reasons people may be tempted to use nulled WordPress themes and plugins.

1. Cost Savings

One of the primary reasons people opt for nulled themes and plugins is to avoid paying for legitimate versions. Nulled versions are typically available for free or at a significantly lower cost than purchasing the original product.

2. Access to Premium Features

Nulled themes and plugins often claim to offer premium features and functionality found in paid versions. This can be appealing to users who want access to advanced features without having to pay for them.

3. Ease of Access

Nulled themes and plugins are readily available for download from various websites, file-sharing platforms, and online forums. This accessibility makes it convenient for users to obtain and install pirated software without going through official channels.

4. Experimentation and Testing

Some users may use nulled themes and plugins for testing purposes or to experiment with different designs and functionalities on their websites before committing to purchasing the original product.

5. Lack of Awareness

In some cases, users may not be aware of the risks associated with using nulled software. They may mistakenly believe that downloading and using pirated themes and plugins is harmless or acceptable.

6. Desperation or Urgency

Users facing tight budgets or urgent deadlines may resort to using nulled themes and plugins as a quick and inexpensive solution to address their immediate needs.

7. Peer Pressure or Recommendations

In online communities or forums, users may encounter recommendations or endorsements for nulled themes and plugins from other members. Peer pressure or positive reviews may influence users to try out pirated software despite the potential risks.

8. Lack of Technical Knowledge

Some users may lack the technical knowledge or expertise to evaluate the risks associated with using nulled themes and plugins. They may not fully understand the potential security vulnerabilities or legal implications involved.

It’s important to note that while these reasons may seem compelling, the risks associated with using nulled WordPress themes and plugins far outweigh any perceived benefits. Users must prioritize the security, integrity, and legality of their websites by investing in legitimate themes and plugins from reputable developers.