developer-roadmap/src/data/roadmaps/react-native/content/111-security/index.md

# Security

# React Native Security

React Native is a framework for building cross-platform mobile applications using JavaScript and ReactJS. As with any application development, security is a crucial aspect to protect your application data and user information. Here is a brief overview of some React Native security best practices.

## 1. Secure Storage
Store sensitive data, such as authentication tokens, encryption keys, or user credentials, securely using a storage solution that comes with built-in encryption mechanisms.

### Example:
For React Native, [react-native-keychain](https://github.com/oblador/react-native-keychain) and [react-native-encrypted-storage](https://github.com/emeraldsanto/react-native-encrypted-storage) are popular libraries handling secure storage.

```javascript
import * as Keychain from 'react-native-keychain';

// Save data to the keychain
await Keychain.setGenericPassword(username, password);

// Retrieve data from the keychain
const credentials = await Keychain.getGenericPassword();
```

## 2. Secure Communication
Use HTTPS for network communication with APIs and remote services. This ensures that the data exchanged between server and client is encrypted and secure.

### Example:
Use the [fetch](https://reactnative.dev/docs/network) method with URLs starting with 'https://'.

```javascript
const response = await fetch('https://example.com/api/data');
const data = await response.json();
```

## 3. Minimize Permissions
Request only the necessary permissions from the user that your application needs to function, and do this at runtime when the feature actually needs the permission.

### Example:
Using [react-native-permissions](https://github.com/zoontek/react-native-permissions), you can request permissions when they are needed:

```javascript
import {check, PERMISSIONS, request, RESULTS} from 'react-native-permissions';

async function requestLocationPermission() {
  const result = await check(PERMISSIONS.IOS.LOCATION_WHEN_IN_USE);

  if (result === RESULTS.DENIED) {
    return await request(PERMISSIONS.IOS.LOCATION_WHEN_IN_USE);
  }

  return result;
}
```

## 4. Validate User Input
Ensure you validate and sanitize all user input before processing it. This helps to prevent potential threats like SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS).

### Example:
Use a validation library like [Yup](https://github.com/jquense/yup) to validate user input.

```javascript
import * as Yup from 'yup';

const loginSchema = Yup.object({
  email: Yup.string().email('Invalid email address').required('Required'),
  password: Yup.string()
    .min(8, 'Password must be at least 8 characters')
    .required('Required'),
});

loginSchema.validate({email: 'user@example.com', password: 'password'});
```

## 5. Keep Dependencies Up to Date
Regularly update your dependencies to ensure they don't contain known security vulnerabilities. Use tools like [npm audit](https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/commands/npm-audit) and [dependabot](https://github.com/dependabot/dependabot-core) to automatically audit and update your dependencies.

### Example:
Using npm, you can update your dependencies and check for potential vulnerabilities:

```bash
npm update
npm audit
```

Following these best practices will help you create more secure React Native applications, protecting your application's data and your users' information.