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On 18 November 2025, a major Cloudflare outage disrupted a huge portion of the internet. Users around the world suddenly found apps and websites refusing to load. Platforms like ChatGPT, X, Spotify, Canva, and countless others showed messages like “Something went wrong.”

Cloudflare later published an official explanation: an internal change mistakenly created a system file that grew far larger than expected. Their software wasn’t designed to handle a file of that size, which triggered a chain reaction that temporarily broke parts of their global network.

This wasn’t a cyberattack — it was an internal error. But because millions of businesses rely on Cloudflare, the internet effectively “broke” for several hours.

Cloudflare official blog — https://blog.cloudflare.com/18-november-2025-outage/

 

What Actually Happened?

Cloudflare made a small internal configuration change.

That change caused a particular system file to grow extremely large.

Cloudflare’s software could not process the file. As a result, requests began failing across their network.

Because Cloudflare sits in front of a massive portion of the internet — DNS, CDN, security, routing — the impact was global.

Again: not a hack, not an attack — simply a mistake with outsized consequences.

 

Why This Matters for Every Business

This outage highlights a big truth: Modern businesses rely heavily on external providers — often more than they realize.

Your own system might be running perfectly, your servers might be healthy, your code might have zero errors…

But if the service you depend on goes down, you go down with it.

This can cause:

• Lost sales and revenue
• Angry users
• Failed payments
• Bad reviews
• Massive customer support spikes
• Long-term damage to brand trust

In other words: your uptime is only as strong as your weakest dependency.

 

What Businesses Should Do Now

1. Don’t Rely on a Single Provider

For critical infrastructure, always have redundancy:

• DNS → use multiple DNS providers
• CDN → have fallback CDN or direct origin routing
• Firewall / security → multi-layer protection
• Authentication → secondary auth provider in emergencies

If one provider fails, the other keeps your service alive.

2. Build a Backup / Failover Plan

Your system should be capable of switching to alternative providers automatically or within minutes.

Even simple fallback routing can protect you from major outages.

3. Monitor Your Website and Services

Set alerts for:

• High error rates
• Slower loading
• API failures
• Traffic drops
• DNS resolution problems

The sooner you know, the sooner you can take action.

4. Communicate Quickly with Users

Silence makes outages worse.

If you’re affected by a global provider issue, send a simple, reassuring update:

“We’re currently impacted by a Cloudflare outage. Our team is monitoring the situation and will update you shortly.”

Clear communication builds trust, even during downtime.

5. Test Failure Scenarios Every Few Months

Practice breaking things on purpose:

• What happens if your CDN fails?
• What if DNS stops resolving?
• What if your firewall blocks all traffic?

These tests reveal weaknesses before real disasters occur.

 

Conclusion

The Cloudflare outage of November 18, 2025 is a powerful reminder that no provider — not even the biggest — is immune to failure.

Businesses must design their systems with resilience in mind:

• Multiple providers
• Failover plans
• Monitoring and alerts
• Transparent communication
• Regular failure testing

The internet is interconnected. A single mistake from a single company can disrupt millions of users.

Redundancy isn’t optional anymore — it’s essential for protecting your users, your brand, and your revenue.

Also, read our last article: Efficiently Handling Large File Uploads (PDF/DOCX) in AWS

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Large file uploads are one of those things that look simple — until they crash your system. A few heavy PDFs or DOCX files can slow APIs, overload memory, and frustrate users faster than bad UX. We faced this exact challenge while managing document uploads in AWS, and what we learned changed the way we handle big files forever.

The Challenge

Large files don’t move through networks smoothly. Uploading them directly through the backend causes:

• Timeouts due to long upload durations

• Server memory overload as files get buffered

• Failed uploads from unstable connections

• Duplicate storage when retries don’t clear old files

The solution wasn’t “stronger servers.” It was smarter upload handling.

AWS Multipart Upload — The Real Game Changer

AWS S3 includes a built-in system called Multipart Upload — designed exactly for large files. Here’s what it does:

• Splits one large file into smaller chunks (parts)

• Uploads all parts independently and in parallel

• Retries only the failed parts instead of restarting the whole upload

• Automatically combines all parts into a single file after completion

This one feature fixed 90% of our upload issues.

How It Improved Performance

• Uploads became faster and more stable, even for 100MB+ files

• Uploads could resume from where they stopped if a connection dropped

• No more API timeouts since uploads didn’t depend on a single long request

• AWS validated file integrity for each part automatically

Result: fewer errors, less bandwidth waste, and smoother user experience.

Security & Data Integrity

While optimizing performance, we also focused on security:

• Always upload over HTTPS to protect files in transit

• Use Server-Side Encryption (SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS) for stored files

• Set size limits and allowed MIME types to prevent unsafe uploads

• Restrict upload permissions using AWS IAM roles or policies

Cost & Storage Optimization

Efficient uploads are also about saving costs:

• Enable S3 Intelligent-Tiering to automatically move older files to cheaper storage

• Set lifecycle rules to delete incomplete uploads

• Encourage compression before uploading (especially for PDFs and DOCX)

• Track upload costs with AWS CloudWatch metrics

Key Takeaways

• Always use Multipart Upload for files larger than 5 MB

• Compress before uploading

• Encrypt during and after transfer

• Clean up unfinished uploads

• Monitor performance and costs regularly

Uploading large files isn’t about brute force — it’s about balance between speed, reliability, and cost-efficiency.

 

Jump into our new LinkedIn thread on — How to Handle Large File Uploads (PDF/DOCX) Efficiently in AWS
Also, read our last article:  Designing Apps That Respect Your Phone Battery

Reading Time: 2 minutes

We’ve all been there: you unplug your phone battery at 100% in the morning, and by lunch, it’s already begging for a charger.

Let’s unpack what’s really happening — and how smarter app design can make a huge difference.

 

🔋 1. Background Processes That Never Sleep

Even when you “close” an app, it might still be wide awake — syncing data, tracking location, sending analytics, or checking for new messages.

All of these invisible background tasks use your phone’s processor, network, and GPS — three of the biggest battery hogs.

✅ Smart fix: Schedule background updates at intervals instead of running them constantly. For example, syncing every 15 minutes instead of every few seconds can save hours of battery life.

 

📶 2. Network Calls Are Expensive

Every time an app connects to the internet — fetching images, videos, or data — your phone spins up the CPU and network radio. Poorly optimized apps often make repeated or unnecessary calls, draining both battery and bandwidth.

✅ Smart fix: Use caching and batch requests. Instead of pinging the server for every small update, store data locally and refresh it periodically.

 

🌡️ 3. Graphics and Animations That Overheat

Smooth transitions and flashy 3D effects look great — but they come at a cost. High frame rates and complex visuals keep the GPU busy, heating up your phone and burning through battery faster.

✅ Smart fix: Limit frame rates, compress images, and reduce animation frequency when the device is in low-power mode.

 

📍 4. GPS and Sensors in Overdrive

Location-heavy apps (like delivery or fitness trackers) are among the biggest power consumers, especially if they track every movement continuously.

✅ Smart fix: Use “significant change” location updates. The app only wakes when the user actually moves, rather than tracking every step in real time.

 

🧠 5. Inefficient Code = Wasted Power

Sometimes, the culprit isn’t the feature — it’s the code. Infinite loops, endless logging, or sensors left on after use can silently eat away at battery life.

✅ Smart fix: Regular code reviews and power profiling help catch these inefficiencies early, before they reach users.

 

⚙️ 6. The Rise of Battery-Aware Apps

Modern mobile platforms like Android and iOS now automatically restrict background activity and flag power-hungry apps. Still, the best developers go a step further — they design for efficiency from the start.

 

💡 Final Thought

Battery-friendly design isn’t just a developer detail anymore — it’s part of the user experience. An app that saves power feels faster, runs cooler, and earns user trust.

Because in a world full of notifications and open tabs, the most powerful app is the one that respects your battery.

 

Jump into our new LinkedIn thread on — Why Battery Drain Happens — and How Smart Apps Avoid It
Also, read our last article:  Firewalls — The Silent Bodyguards Protecting the Internet 

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Every click you make online — whether you’re shopping, chatting, or checking emails — sends your data across the internet, where threats like hackers, viruses, and malicious bots are waiting. So how does your device or website stay safe? 👉 The answer is Firewalls — your first and most important line of defense.

 

🧱 What Is a Firewall?

A firewall is like a digital security guard. It monitors all traffic (data) going in and out of a device or network and decides whether to allow it or block it.

Imagine a security guard standing at the gate:

• ✅ If the visitor is trusted, they are allowed in.
• ❌ If they are suspicious, they are denied entry.

That’s exactly what a firewall does for your device, website, or cloud server.

 

🔥 Types of Firewalls

1. Software Firewall

• Installed on your personal device (like a laptop).
• Protects only that device.
• Example: Windows Defender Firewall blocks unsafe apps or downloads.

2. Hardware Firewall

• A physical device used mostly in offices or organizations.
• Protects the entire network — all computers connected to it.
• Example: A company installs a firewall near the router to secure all employee computers.

3. Cloud Firewall

• Provided by cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure to protect websites and applications online.
• Example: AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall) protects apps hosted on Amazon Web Services.

 

⚙️ How Does a Firewall Work?

When you access the internet, your data travels in small pieces called packets. A firewall inspects each packet and decides:

• Should it be allowed?
• Is it safe?
• Or is it dangerous and should be blocked?

 

Firewalls Make Decisions Using Four Key Checks:

🔹 1. IP Address – Who Is Sending the Data?

Every device on the internet has an IP address (like a home address). Firewalls check if the data is coming from a safe or dangerous source. If an IP has a bad reputation or has been used in attacks before, it’s instantly blocked.

🔹 2. Ports and Protocols – Which Door Is Being Used?

Internet services use different ports (channels). For example:

• Web browsing uses port 80 or 443
• Emails use port 25 or 587

Firewalls allow only safe ports and block the rest.

🔹 3. Packet Content – What’s Inside the Data?

Modern firewalls don’t just check who’s sending data — they also inspect what’s inside it.

This is called Deep Packet Inspection:

• The firewall looks inside the packet to detect malware or malicious code.
• If anything harmful is found, it is blocked instantly.

🔹 4. Application Insights – Which App Is Sending This Data?

Next-generation firewalls are smart enough to detect which application is generating the traffic.

They allow trusted apps like Zoom, Gmail, or WhatsApp, and block fake or unknown apps.

 

💼 How Startups and Small Businesses Use Firewalls

You don’t need big budgets or fancy hardware. Small companies often use:

• Cloud firewalls from AWS, Azure, and Cloudflare
• Software firewalls on their laptops
• Linux firewalls like UFW to protect their servers

 

🔒 Why Firewalls Still Matter Today

Firewalls protect you from:

• Hackers trying to break in
• Malware and viruses
• Unauthorized access
• Data theft
• Spam traffic and bots

Without firewalls, your system would be wide open to attacks 24/7.

 

🤖 The Future of Firewalls

Firewalls are getting smarter every day. They now use:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Real-time threat detection
• Automatic updates

 

🎯 Final Thought

Firewalls may not be visible, but they are always working silently in the background, protecting your data and privacy.

They don’t just guard your network — They guard your peace of mind.

Jump into our new LinkedIn thread on Firewalls — The Silent Bodyguards Protecting the Internet and add your experience.
Also, read our last article: Mastering Query Optimization for Faster Databases

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Query optimization isn’t just about making your SQL look pretty — it’s about making your app faster and more efficient. As your database grows, even the smallest query can become slow, leading to poor application performance and unhappy users. Query optimization helps to speed up these queries, ensuring smooth, efficient operations.

 

What is a Query? 🤔

A query is simply a request to a database to retrieve, update, insert, or delete data. It’s the language that allows your app to interact with the data stored in a database. For example, a query might ask, “Give me all the users who signed up in the last 30 days.”

 

What is Query Optimization? ⚡

Query optimization refers to improving the speed and efficiency of these database queries. By fine-tuning how a query is written or by utilizing certain techniques, you can make sure your database retrieves and processes data as quickly as possible. The goal is to reduce the time it takes to execute queries and minimize resource usage (like CPU, memory, and disk space).

Let’s break down the most common optimization techniques — how they work, when they help, and when they don’t. 💡

 

1. Indexing 🔍

What it Means: An index is like a quick reference guide in a book. Instead of scanning every page (row), the database jumps directly to where your data is stored.

How it Works: When you create an index on a column (say, email), the database builds a sorted list of those values. So, when you search for a user by email, it looks through that index first — not the entire table.

When to Use:

• Columns that are used in search, filter, or sorting (like email, username, or created_at).

• When you need fast lookups or joins.

When Not to Use:

• When data in that column changes too frequently (e.g., updating points every few seconds).

• On small tables — scanning 100 rows is already fast enough.

• Adding too many indexes, as this can slow down inserts and updates.

Example: For example, if you frequently search for users by email, creating an index on the email column would allow the database to locate matching records faster than scanning the entire table.

 

2. Caching 💾

What it Means: Caching stores data temporarily so that your system doesn’t hit the database every time for the same query. Think of it like saving your last search results — instead of asking the same question again, you reuse the answer.

How it Works: When a query result is fetched once, it’s saved in memory (like Redis). The next time, the app pulls it from the cache instead of querying the database again.

When to Use:

• Data that doesn’t change frequently (like leaderboards, FAQs, app settings).

• High-traffic features that get the same request again and again.

When Not to Use:

• When you need real-time data (like live stock prices or chat messages).

• When cached data can get stale quickly and confuse users.

Example: For example, a leaderboard in a game may not need to change every minute. Caching the leaderboard’s results for a few hours prevents the app from querying the database every time a user views it.

 

3. Batch Processing ⏳

What it Means: Instead of handling one record at a time, batch processing groups multiple operations together.

How it Works: If you want to update points for 1 million users, instead of looping one by one, you process in batches of 1,000 or 10,000.

When to Use:

• When you handle large data updates or inserts.

• Scheduled jobs like calculating rewards, generating reports, or sending bulk emails.

When Not to Use:

• When real-time updates are required (like showing live scores or user balances).

• When partial updates could cause inconsistent data if a batch fails midway.

Example: If you have to update 100,000 records, doing it in batches of 10,000 ensures you don’t overwhelm the system or cause timeouts, and it allows your application to continue running smoothly.

 

4. Pagination 📝

What it Means: Instead of fetching all records at once, you fetch a few at a time.

How it Works: Use SQL’s LIMIT and OFFSET to load small sets of data — like showing 20 users per page.

When to Use:

• Large lists (users, orders, products, posts).

• To improve page load speed and reduce memory usage.

When Not to Use:

• When you must show all data together (like reports or exports).

• If you don’t have a proper ordering column, results can repeat or skip.

Example: When using pagination, make sure to have an ordering column (e.g., by date or ID) so the results are consistent and avoid skipping or repeating records across pages.

 

5. Limiting Columns ⚡

What it Means: Fetch only what you need. Avoid using SELECT *.

How it Works: If your table has 20 columns but you only need 3, fetching all wastes time and memory.

When to Use:

• Always, unless you genuinely need all columns.

• Especially useful when working with large tables or mobile APIs.

When Not to Use:

• Only in rare cases where you truly need every column for calculations or exports.

Example: Limiting columns not only saves memory but also reduces query execution time, as the database doesn’t need to process unnecessary data.

 

6. Load Balancing (Bonus Tip) 🌍

What it Means: Load balancing is a technique used to distribute incoming network traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server gets overloaded.

How it Works: Instead of directing all user requests to one database or server, load balancing spreads the requests across multiple servers. This prevents any single server from becoming overwhelmed, improving performance and ensuring the app remains responsive even during high traffic.

When to Use:

• For large-scale applications with high traffic or heavy database load.

• When you need to ensure availability and reliability, even under heavy user load.

When Not to Use:

• For small applications with minimal traffic — it adds unnecessary complexity.

• When your infrastructure doesn’t support multiple servers or instances.

Example: For example, in an e-commerce platform during Black Friday sales, load balancing can prevent a single server from becoming overwhelmed by thousands of concurrent requests.

 

Summary — Choosing the Right Technique ✨

• Indexing: When to use — fast search/sort on stable data. When to avoid — rapidly changing data.

• Caching: When to use — static or low-change data. When to avoid — real-time information.

• Batch Processing: When to use — large periodic updates. When to avoid — real-time operations.

• Pagination: When to use — large lists, tables, or feeds. When to avoid — full data exports.

• Limit Columns: When to use — always, unless full table needed. When to avoid — only for complete data dumps.

• Load Balancing: When to use — large-scale applications with heavy traffic. When to avoid — small apps with minimal traffic.

 

Final Thought 💭

Optimization is about balance, not just speed. Before you start optimizing, ask yourself:

• How often does this data change? 🔄

• Does it need to be real-time? ⏰

• How big can this dataset grow? 📊

Answering these questions helps you choose the right optimization method and avoid wasting effort on methods that won’t make a difference. 🚀

Jump into our new LinkedIn thread on Mastering Query Optimization: Essential Tips for Faster, Smarter Databases and add your experience.
Also, read our last article: Caching in Mobile Apps: Faster, Smoother UX.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

In today’s fast-paced world, mobile app caching has become essential. Whether you’re checking the weather or scrolling through social media, caching is doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.

But here’s the real question: How do apps load data so quickly?

The answer is simple: smart caching strategies. 🎯

Think about it for a moment. You’re on a flight with no WiFi. Yet Spotify is still playing your favorite playlist.

Similarly, you’re driving through a tunnel. But Google Maps keeps navigating perfectly.

Meanwhile, your Instagram feed loads instantly. Even on a slow 3G connection.

This isn’t magic. Instead, it’s intelligent caching at work.

In today’s mobile-first world, users have zero patience. If your app takes more than 3 seconds to load, 53% of users will abandon it. That’s more than half your potential users—gone.

The apps that dominate the market cache intelligently. Therefore, here’s everything you need to know.

 

📌 What Is Caching?

Caching stores copies of files in temporary storage locations. As a result, it reduces access time significantly.

Instead of fetching data repeatedly, apps use cached copies. Consequently, they retrieve images and text without constantly querying servers.

 

💡 Why Caching Is Crucial for Mobile Apps

⚡ 1. Speed & Performance

First and foremost, users expect instant loading.

Without caching, apps send server requests every time. This naturally slows everything down.

However, caching stores data locally. Therefore, it enables faster access and smoother UX.

 

📶 2. Offline Functionality

Mobile apps face varying network conditions. For instance, they might encounter fast Wi-Fi or no connectivity at all.

Fortunately, cached data lets apps function offline. As a result, users can view previously loaded pages without real-time updates.

 

🖥️ 3. Reducing Server Load

Every direct server request creates strain. This is especially true during peak times.

However, caching serves data directly from cache. Consequently, it improves app performance. It also lowers backend system demands.

 

🔋 4. Improved Battery Life

Fetching server data consumes significant power. This is particularly problematic with constant requests.

On the other hand, caching reduces network access frequency. Thus, it saves battery life. This is critical for mobile apps.

 

💰 5. Cost Efficiency

Apps relying on cloud services face mounting costs. Constant data retrieval adds up quickly.

However, caching reduces repeated cloud queries. As a result, it lowers operational costs. This is especially beneficial for high-traffic apps.

 

📱 Real-World Examples

Spotify Example

First, music is cached locally on your device. Then, you can continue listening without internet. Ultimately, the app functions without any network connection.

📸 Instagram Example

First, posts from followers are cached locally. Therefore, you can scroll through your feed quickly.

Additionally, profile details are cached. Furthermore, comments are stored for faster display. As a result, there’s no constant content refresh needed.

 

🛠️ How Caching Works in Mobile Apps

1️⃣ Memory Caching (RAM)

What it is: Memory caches store data temporarily in RAM.

Notably, this is the fastest type of caching. The data is directly accessible from memory.

Therefore, it’s ideal for small pieces of data. For example, user preferences or session information.

However, it’s not permanent. In fact, data is lost when the app closes.

 

2️⃣ Disk Caching (Storage)

What it is: Disk caching stores data on the device’s storage.

Unlike memory caches, this data persists when the app is closed. Thus, this is useful for storing larger resources. Such as images, videos, and documents.

However, disk caches are slower to access. This is because reading from storage takes more time than from RAM.

 

3️⃣ Persistent Caching (Databases)

What it is: Persistent caching stores data across sessions.

Consequently, it allows users to continue where they left off. Even if the app closes or the device restarts.

Commonly, this is used for apps that need to persist user data. Technologies like SQLite or Realm are often used.

📄 Google Docs Example:

• First, documents are cached on your device
• Then, you can access and edit documents offline
• Next, changes sync with the cloud when you’re online
• Finally, you continue where you left off

 

4️⃣ Network Caching (HTTP)

What it is: Network caching temporarily stores data from external servers.

Use Case: Apps depending on online data. For example, weather apps and news apps.

Tools: Retrofit and Volley for Android. NSURLCache for iOS.

Benefit: Retrieve from cache instead of making a new network call.

🌤️ Weather Apps Example:

• First, AccuWeather caches forecasts
• Then, you can check weather without fetching new data
• As a result, it reduces server load and improves speed

 

✅ Best Practices for Mobile App Caching

1. Cache Wisely

First, store frequently-used or static data. For example, images and static info.

However, avoid caching dynamic data. Such as stock prices or social posts.

Ultimately, only cache what makes sense.

 

2. Set Cache Expiry

Clear cached data after a certain period. This way, you prevent stale data confusion.

For example, weather data is valid for only a few hours.

 

3. Use Compression

Save storage space. Improve performance.

This is especially helpful for images, videos, and documents.

 

4. Implement Cache Validation

Ensure cached data is up-to-date.

Specifically, validate with the server using ETags. Consequently, you maintain data accuracy.

 

5. Handle Cache Failures Gracefully

Fallback to the server if cache is empty or corrupt.

This way, you prevent app crashes. You also ensure smooth error handling.

 

🔒 Bonus Tip

NEVER cache sensitive data. Such as passwords or payment info.

Alternatively, encrypt it if caching is necessary.

 

🎯 The Bottom Line

Caching is a game-changer for mobile app performance.

Specifically, it delivers:

• Lightning-fast speed
• Offline functionality
• Reduced server load
• Extended battery life
• Lower operational costs
• Seamless user experience

 

As mobile developers, understanding caching is key. It helps you create fast, efficient apps.

Moreover, strategic caching keeps users coming back.

Remember: Every millisecond matters in mobile UX. Cache strategically. Your users will thank you.

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💬Jump into our new LinkedIn thread on How Caching Makes Mobile Apps Faster and add your experience.
     Also read our last article: React Native Upgrade: 0.74 to 0.77 Guide.