App vs. Web
Apps and web platforms serve as essential spaces for experiencing and interacting with various types of content in the digital landscape. An app, short for ‘application’, is a software program designed to perform specific tasks. While apps are installed and run directly on a device, offering users a range of functionalities, the web allows anyone to access diverse information and services without installation-simply through a URL.
Recently, many companies have been offering app-based services. However, due to the challenges of developing and maintaining mobile apps, businesses are increasingly leveraging the advantages of the web, which offers more functionality with convenience. As a result, more companies started providing both mobile apps and web services or have been aggressively transitioning to web apps.
According to a study by Amplitude comparing mobile app and web usage, web usage grew at a faster rate than mobile app usage from 2020 to 2021. While it is true that more users access services through mobile apps, web-based service usage has also been steadily increasing.
Sources : Amplitude
Sources : Amplitude
The Rapid Growth of Web Browsers
Then, what could explain the reason behind the increased web adoption in business?
First, let's explore the advantages of web browsers.
- 1.
High Accessibility : Web browsers are accessible across all browsers and operating systems, allowing users to access services regardless of device type, whether it be a smartphone, laptop, or PC.
- 2.
User Convenience : Web browsers eliminate the need for unnecessary installation, enabling users to access services easily with just a URL while providing a consistent experience for all users.
- 3.
Ease of Development : With web browsers, a single development effort can be applied across all environments, making development, maintenance, and updates significantly more efficient.
Web is evolving into a powerful and effective business tool that provides opportunities to reach new potential customers. It is no longer just a space for showcasing and selling products or services; instead, it is emerging as a powerful platform-much like mobile apps—that enhances user experience and strengthens brand image.
Uneasy Transition to Web Browsers
Despite the advantages of the web, why do companies struggle to transition to web browsers?
The primary reason is the web browser's UI (User Interface).
Many perceive web UI as inferior and limited to that of apps, often hearing comments like ‘Web UI isn’t as sophisticated or polished’ or ‘Web designs aren’t as visually appealing’. Before HTML5, web browsers had struggled with speed and performance compared to apps. While apps followed OS-specific design guidelines to ensure a consistent user experience, web design often failed to match the same level of refinement.
However, modern web browsers based on HTML5 have significantly improved UI capabilities thanks to advancements in CSS and JavaScript. Today’s web can maintain a high design standard and offer functionalities comparable to native apps. Responsive and interactive web design enables a consistent service experience across diverse user environments, while web applications deliver an app-like user experience while retaining the advantages of the web—such as accessibility and no installation requirements.For example, South Korea’s biggest search portal Naver has adopted a web-app approach using WebKit, allowing users to experience a more intuitive and responsive UI directly through the web.
As such, from a user’s perspective, there is no reason not to use the web-it’s fast, convenient, and offers a sleek UI. However, for companies providing services, the biggest obstacle to fully embracing web browsers is the second key issue : data security.
The web inherently ensures secure data transmission between the server and client using SSL/TLS encryption. However, once the data reaches the web browser, it is decrypted before being displayed to the user, leaving plaintext data exposed within the DOM. This plaintext data within the web browser is highly vulnerable to various data leakage or theft possibilities.
Attackers can use browser developer tools (F12) to analyze the DOM structure, automatically extract plaintext data, or manipulate the DOM to inject malicious code. If solutions can effectively prevent plaintext data exposure within the DOM, web browsers will evolve into a more powerful and secure business tool, eliminating one of the key obstacles to general adoption.
Achieving Secure Web Environment with Web-X DRM
Web-X DRM is a security solution that fulfills all security requirements for services based on web browsers. By implementing Web-X DRM, web environments can be securely protected without compromising user experience. Web-X DRM provides robust security features within the web browser while maintaining a seamless user experience, effectively addressing the security challenges that companies face when transitioning to web-based services.
Key Features of Web-X DRM
- 1.
No Installation Required-Seamless Security Solution : Web-X DRM provides a consistent security environment across all HTML5-based browsers and operating systems without requiring users to install additional security programs.
- 2.
Block Developer Tools Access(Debugging Prevention) : Web-X DRM prevents access to developer tools without the need for client installation. This ensures that developer tools cannot be executed or used for debugging in any user environment, effectively blocking unauthorized DOM access.
- 3.
Data Encryption and Security :Web-X DRM ensures continuous data security by encrypting and obfuscating data within the DOM. As a result, any extracted DOM data remains unreadable and cannot be interpreted.
Start your web services in a more secure environment with Web-X DRM, a solution designed to fundamentally resolve web browser security challenges. By implementing Web-X DRM, you can ensure robust protection against threats while maintaining a seamless and not compromising web experience.