I'm exploring a way to create a more flexible and dynamic alternative to Google Forms, which led me to code a functional app using React. Being from a social sciences background, I had Claude assist in writing the code since I don't know how to code myself. I deployed the app on Vercel and connected it to Google Sheets for data collection. My main concern now is understanding the potential data protection issues I might face. What are the essential aspects I should keep in mind about security and coding best practices, especially since I lack prior coding experience? I'm aware that Vercel has compliance measures and my git repository is private, but I'm looking for any other vulnerabilities I should be cautious of. Also, just to clarify, I'm not using any API keys for this project. Thanks for any assistance!
3 Answers
Using Google Sheets can cause issues since it's not a database, especially under heavy traffic. You may end up missing leads if several people submit at the same time, and anyone with access can clear out the sheet. Plus, there are liability concerns if you are storing personally identifiable information. Make sure you validate inputs and consider security measures to protect against potential risks.
That's a pretty broad question, and addressing it fully takes years of experience! A good starting point for you is to look into the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities - it's crucial for anyone handling data to understand these risks.
Just to clarify, your form might be accessible to anyone if not properly secured, so keep that in mind. It's good that it's private and only shareable via links, but always double-check permissions to stay safe!
No worries! It's set to private and won't be indexed by search engines.
Thanks! I'll definitely check that out.