Mobile devices are rapidly becoming the most common method for people all over the world to engage with the web, and the vast bulk of these consumers do so via mobile applications. However, because we rely so heavily on our cell phones, a security compromise may be disastrous to the user.
Over 5 million applications are accessible on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store combined. The proliferation of developers and the release of new apps on a daily basis have also increased the cyber security concerns associated with mobile applications. Based on a Gartner study, nearly one-third of mobile apps fail basic cybersecurity assessments.
Hackers have access to a wealth of customer data, including financial information, contact information, and passwords. They may also swiftly retrieve credit and debit cards, mails, and private information if you use a poorly protected mobile application.
Because these mobile applications have everything available to them, they have grown more vulnerable to powerful and sophisticated cyber-attacks. A single cyber-attack may belittle your economic interests while also exposing your user data to anybody on the planet.
If you are a smartphone application developer that manages user data, it is your responsibility to guarantee that your app provides users with the greatest and most dependable interaction feasible. Follow these tips to guarantee that your app is updated with cyber security protocols.
10 Ways To Protect Your Mobile App
You can learn more about mobile app security testing and what tools to use on DataDome’s informational blog. Remember, mobile application security is crucial not just for your security but also for your customer’s security. Here are 10 ways to protect your mobile application.
- Perform regular testings
- Prevent access to the content providers
- Never give sensitive information without asking for credentials
- Don’t forget to secure your code
- Keep an eye on data leaks
- Offer the correct permissions
- Educate the users
- Hire a good security team
- Learn new techniques
- Mobile device management
Read on to learn more in detail.
- Perform regular testings
Testing must always be a factor when developing an app. Regardless of cost or time restrictions, never delay testing your application at every level of production to avoid issues stacking up along the way. Be rigorous with your assessments: they should mirror the actions of a real-life intruder, who will do anything to get around your security and identify the smallest breach to exploit.
- Prevent access to the content providers
Unless you plan to provide information from your app to another app that you do not own, you should expressly prohibit other developers’ applications from viewing the ContentProvider entities in your application. This option is especially significant if your software can be installed on Android 4.1.1 or below devices.
- Never give sensitive information without asking for credentials
When asking users for credentials to view confidential material or premium content in your application, require either a password/PIN/pattern or a biometric credential, such as facial images or a touch id.
- Don’t forget to secure your code
The process of securing your mobile app begins with the coding on day one. Developers should make an effort to secure the code of your program because it serves as one of its defenses. After that, run your program through quality control to search for any security problems you might have missed.
- Keep an eye on data leaks
Data leaks are among the most prevalent causes of security breaches in mobile apps, which is worsened by the fact that the majority are not detected until it is too late. Nothing is more critical than fixing leaks when it comes to protecting user data. There is no easy remedy for this; simply ensure that all components of sensitive data are encrypted and tokenized. And, if a breach occurs, notify users as quickly as possible so that they may respond appropriately.
- Offer the correct permissions
Your app should only ask for the minimal amount of permissions required to perform effectively. When feasible, your app should remove some of these rights when they are no longer required.
Whenever feasible, avoid adding permission to your app to perform an activity that can be performed in another app. Instead, use an intent to redirect the request to another app that already has the required permission.
API authorization keys are required for mobile app development, but they are also a weak entry point into security systems. Use API gateways to secure your apps and prevent unauthorized users from accessing your code.
To protect the confidentiality of information in transit, use SSL with 256-bit encryption. In the case of information at rest, you can safeguard both the source and the endpoint. Also, make absolutely sure to use APIs with app-level authentication. Retain sensitive data locked in memory and only allow authorized users to use the services.
- Educate the users
Even if you do everything possible to protect your app data, an uneducated user may grant a hacker access. Them, like any other possible entry point for cyber thieves, must be secured by informing people on basic safety measures whenever feasible.
Password breaches are by far the most common cause of security breaches. If you wish to avoid the majority of assaults, require your users to use secure passwords and push them to use different passwords for each account. This is when user education comes into play.
Ultimately, app encryption is never 100% efficient; given sufficient time and money, attackers will always discover a way into a user’s account. Some of this is absolutely beyond your control, so it’s a good idea to inform your users about the risks they face and what they can do to avoid them.
- Hire a good security team
App security is difficult even in the best of circumstances, and it’s practically impossible if you don’t have specialized staff in charge of it. A security team may prioritize the protection of all parts of customer and application data, take control of alerting users of security processes and breaches, and prepare for all conceivable security risk scenarios.
Make it a full-time occupation, and you can rest certain that your app’s safety is being taken care of.
- Learn new techniques
There are constantly new security approaches being created to resist hackers in the field of cryptography, and giving them a try pays dividends. There are algorithms that are significantly superior to SHA1 and MD5, which are no longer deemed secure.
- Mobile device management
The app’s online security is mostly determined by the user’s device. Both iOS and Android operate differently, and various measures are required for each to maintain acceptable security. Developers should be aware that the data gathered on every device has the potential to cause a security breach.
And it is here that encryption technologies such as the 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard play an important role. It aids in the security of data in the form of files, databases, and several different types of data. Furthermore, while concluding mobile application cyber-security, cryptographic key management must be considered.
When it comes to Apple, it has a strong security strategy in place. It enables app owners to restrict any customer from the app’s installation if they believe the user’s device’s privacy has already been compromised.
Wrapping Up
Remember that before you begin safeguarding your mobile applications from serious cyber security risks, you must first determine the possible hazards you are dealing with. After all, you can’t discover a solution until you first comprehend the core of the problem.
Once you’ve identified the security flaws in your mobile app, dealing with the true danger will be much easier.
If you do not follow the aforementioned methods to prevent mobile security concerns, you may end up losing your personal data, which might result in significant losses. So, stop delegating and start working to combat cybercrime now.
Author – Tuba Sarosh
Tuba Sarosh is a result-driven SEO content writer and editor, who helps businesses turn their readers into clients. She writes about trends, tips, how-tos, and other cool stuff that helps businesses serve their customers better. When not writing, she’s either reading a good book or experimenting with recipes.
EDTECH 4 BEGINNERS 
1 Comments