User preferences encryption

Anteater simplifies recipe execution by remembering input data through a properties file stored locally on your computer. To protect sensitive information, such as passwords, secrets, or PII, you can enable encryption by setting the userPreferencesEncryption="true" attribute in the ae.xml configuration file.

<Environment>
    <Configuration name="Demo" userPreferencesEncryption="true">
        ...
    </Configuration>
</Environment>

Filtering logs

Anteater’s flexible logging system allows you to filter sensitive data, ensuring logs are tailored to your needs while maintaining privacy. This feature is particularly useful for protecting PII and ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR.

<Logger Threshold="$var{system::log_level,DEBUG}"
    ConversionPattern="%d{dd.MM.yyyy HH:mm:ss} %-6p %m %n"
    File="$var{HOME_WORKINGDIR}/logs/$var{log_file}_$var{START_TIME}.log">
      <filter class="MaskJSON" name="firstName" />
      <filter class="MaskJSON" name="lastName" />
      <filter class="MaskEmail" />
</Logger>

Interactive data masking

Anteater also supports Interactive Data Masking, allowing you to dynamically apply predefined filters using the Masking Button in the log record panel. With a simple click, you can mask specific entries as needed for compliance or analysis. This feature ensures flexibility and control over sensitive data during runtime.

Benefits of Anteater’s security features

1. Data Encryption: Protects sensitive user preferences and input data with encryption.
2. Log Filtering: Ensures sensitive information is masked in logs while maintaining usability.
3. GDPR Compliance: Helps meet data privacy regulations by securely handling PII in logs.
4. Dynamic Masking: Provides real-time control over sensitive data visibility in logs.

By leveraging these tools, Anteater empowers you to maintain a secure environment, protect sensitive information, and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations—all while enabling seamless customization for your workflows.

Finding log files

By default, Anteater stores log files in the following location:

%userprofile%\anteater\logs

This directory contains detailed records of past activities, enabling you to easily access and review logs. Whether you're troubleshooting errors or analyzing workflow performance, these files provide a comprehensive view of Anteater's operations.

Customizing log configuration

Anteater’s logging behavior can be customized by modifying the configuration in your ae.xml file. Below is an example of a logging configuration:

<Logger Threshold="DEBUG" 
	ConversionPattern="%d{dd.MM.yyyy HH:mm:ss} %-6p %m %n" 
	File="$var{HOME_WORKINGDIR}/logs/$var{log_file}_$var{START_TIME}.log" />

What is “Take It Easy”?

In Anteater, recipes often require input data, similar to parameterized tests. While some parameters may change with each execution, others remain constant. “Take It Easy” or silent mode automates the input of unchanged parameters by leveraging previously saved preferences, allowing users to focus on key inputs for the current test case.

How “Take It Easy” works

When silent mode is activated:

1. Saved Preferences: Anteater uses previously saved input data for parameters that remain constant, reducing the need for repetitive user input.
2. User Focus: Only inputs marked as “Very Important Dialog” (VID) require manual entry, ensuring users concentrate on critical elements of the recipe execution.

Is it truly silent mode?

Not entirely. While Anteater automates the handling of routine, unchanging data, inputs marked as “VID” must still be provided manually. This ensures that important data points are handled with care and accuracy during recipe execution.

VID management

The “Very Important Dialogs” (VID) popup is a key feature in Anteater that enables users to efficiently manage input data. This popup lists all inputs required for recipe execution and allows users to specify which inputs should be marked as VID for manual entry.

Benefits of silent mode

1. Efficiency Boost: Routine inputs, such as email addresses, product IDs, or delivery details, are prefilled, allowing users to focus on unique aspects of their test cases.
2. Consistency: Anteater ensures consistent use of identical inputs for constant parameters, reducing the chance of manual entry errors.
3. Focus on Critical Data: The VID popup highlights essential inputs, enabling users to focus on critical data without distractions or unnecessary steps.