Changes and Sonar, Circle.ci, Snyk results under Updates To The App.docx. Some files are uploaded for marking that wouldn't be if in a production environment. I have also ignored the secure TLS warning from my circle.ci pipeline as we are using a self-signed certificate, and not a trusted one. In production the code would disallow this. Encountering minor error where my react scripts do not download using npm install, use npm install -g react-scripts if this occurs.

International Payments Portal

Table of Contents

1. Group Members
2. Project Overview
3. Technologies Used
4. Features
5. Security Measures
6. Getting Started
7. Installation Instructions
8. Troubleshooting
9. Additional Resources

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1. Group Members

• Katalika Lalla (ST: ST10030992)
• Kelisha Naidoo (ST: ST10100775)
• Aariya Singh (ST: ST10029788)

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2. Project Overview

The International Payments Portal is a secure and user-friendly platform for processing international bank transactions. It allows customers to register, log in, and complete cross-border payments, while bank employees can review and approve transactions before they are securely processed via the SWIFT network. The system prioritizes ease of use while ensuring robust security for reliable international payments. Final Demonstration Videos Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_aO3MIYVvuy6RK9mSI4TeIVxEQjYTNfw

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3. Technologies Used

• Frontend: React
• Backend: Node.js with Express
• Database: MongoDB

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4. Features

Customer Portal

• User Registration: Customers can register with necessary details (full name, ID number, account number, and password).
• Login: Customers authenticate using their username, account number, and password.

International Payment

• Transaction Options: Customers can select payment amount, currency, and provider (e.g., SWIFT).
• Payee Details: Required fields for payee's account information and SWIFT code.
• Payment Finalization: Customers review and finalize payment details before initiating a secure transaction.

Employee Portal

• Payment Verification: Bank employees verify international payments to ensure compliance and security.
• Transaction Management: Employees can review, validate, and process transactions.

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5. Security Measures

Security is a core priority in the portal, which includes:

• Password Hashing: Secure hashing and salting of passwords for safe storage.
• Brute-Force Protection: Protection against unauthorized access using Express Brute to limit failed login attempts.
• Input Validation: Input validation through RegEx-based whitelisting to prevent SQL injection and XSS attacks.
• SSL Encryption: SSL-encrypted communications to secure data in transit.
• Session Management: Secure session handling to prevent session hijacking and unauthorized access.

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6. Getting Started with the SafeTransact App

Follow these steps to set up and run the application locally:

1. Set Up the Frontend

1. Open a terminal in the apds7311-poe-scriptsquad-main folder.
2. Install the required dependencies:

   npm install

3. Start the development server:

   npm run dev

2. Set Up the Backend

1. Navigate to the apds7311-poe-scriptsquad-main/Backend folder.
2. Install the backend dependencies:

   npm install

3. Start the backend server:

   npm start

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Admin Account

To log in as an admin and manage transactions (confirm, deny, or flag), use the following credentials:

• Username: AariyaS
• Password: AariyaS.123

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Browser Configuration for HTTPS Testing

To bypass SSL warnings during local development, configure your browser as follows:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Navigate to chrome://flags/#allow-insecure-localhost.
3. Enable "Allow invalid certificates for resources loaded from localhost".

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Required Tools

• Visual Studio Code: IDE for editing and managing code.
• Node.js: Ensure Node.js is installed for backend server functionality.
• MongoDB: Set up MongoDB locally or use MongoDB Atlas for cloud storage.

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7. Installation Instructions

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Clone the Repository

   git clone https://github.com/IIEWFL/apds7311-poe-scriptsquad.git

2. Install Dependencies
   Navigate to both the frontend and backend directories and install the required dependencies:

   cd apds7311-poe-scriptsquad-main
   npm install  # for frontend
   cd Backend
   npm install  # for backend

3. Configure Environment Variables

   • In the backend directory, create a .env file with necessary environment variables, such as database URIs and API keys.

4. Start MongoDB

   • If using a local MongoDB instance, make sure it's running. Alternatively, configure your MongoDB Atlas connection.

5. Access the Application

   • Frontend: http://localhost:3000
   • Backend: http://localhost:3001

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8. Troubleshooting

Common Issues

• Invalid Port: Ensure the backend runs on port 3001 and the frontend on port 3000.
• MongoDB Connection Errors: Verify MongoDB is active locally or check the connection string for MongoDB Atlas.
• JWT Authentication Issues: Ensure the token is included in the Authorization header (Bearer <token>).
• CORS Errors: If there are issues with frontend-backend communication, check CORS settings in server.js.
• Environment Variables Not Set: Ensure that the .env file is properly configured and loaded in the backend.

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9. Additional Resources

• Demo Video: Google Drive Link
• React Documentation: React
• Node.js Documentation: Node.js
• MongoDB Documentation: MongoDB

For further assistance, please reach out to any of the group members listed in the Group Members section.

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This version improves readability, consistency, and structure. Let me know if there are any other adjustments you'd like!