AppFog is a Platform as a Service (PaaS) cloud hosting solution that has its headquarters in Portland,
Oregon. In addition, because AppFog is completely open-source, it supports multiple programming
languages including Java, Node, .Net, Ruby, MySQL, and PHP. Similar to most PaaS services, they
place an emphasis on development flexibility and the ability to use any type of infrastructure with no
application effect. Since its inception, AppFog has grown to nearly 20,000 developers using its platform and 10,000 applications created.

AppFog Video Overview

AppFog Features

1) Ease of use- AppFog requires no servers, firewalls, Apache, or frameworks that need
to be installed. Originally only built for PHP, it has now grown to support nearly every
programming language available.

2) Scalability- AppFog is used in numerous locations, data centers, and infrastructures, which help ensure high performance levels and unlimited server access. A common feature with Paas
solutions, users only pay for what they use, which saves money in the long-run.

3) IPhone Integration- AppFog released an application where users can monitor, manage, and
scale apps from anywhere in the world.

4) Open-Source Tools- Developers have the ability to integrate workflow utilizing open-source
tools like Eclipse Integration and CloudForge.

Here’s a recent AppFog “Under The Radar” grad-circle presentation:

The Tough Questions

In early 2011, AppFog (then known as PHPFog), was hacked by a group of teenagers, who re-directed
users to an alternate URL and posted secure data on twitter. Although the damage was minimal,
potential customer’s value security above all else; they simply want to make sure their data and
intellectual property is not compromised.

Has this security breach hurt AppFog’s overall image?

Has AppFog taken the proper steps to ensure users security?

Despite the long-term concerns that arise when a company’s security is compromised, AppFog has
handled the issue correctly from the moment the breach was announced. PHPFog was in beta testing
at the time, and although a lack of security is unacceptable, they have come a long way in terms of
ensuring a secure infrastructure since that time. AppFog CEO Lucas Carlson recently stated:

“We have worked with a great security firm, Cigital, to do a very deep audit of not only the PHP
layer but the entire infrastructure top to bottom. We have created very thick barriers between our
customers as well as removing all unnecessary connections between the servers. Also, when the hack
happened, we had about 1/10th of the number of users we have now, and many new hack attempts
have been tried and failed”

AppFog Headquarters