As the dependency and use of smartphones become a primary need for users to manage their personal and professional matters, smartphone users grow to more than 80% in the USA.
Subsequently, mobile apps become more prone to cyber attackers, ultimately increasing the risks of security attacks.
Posing threats for businesses, users, and even experienced mobile app development companies, these threats may lead to several vulnerabilities when not attended to well.
Today, we are going to talk about the need for mobile app development companies to cater to mobile app security as a top concern.
What is Mobile App Security?
Mobile app security basically refers to measures and protocols to protect your device or app from malware and fraudulent attacks such as hacking or criminal manipulations.
Mobile app security measures depict the amount of protection implemented to keep the device safe from all the unlikely situations.
Several technologies and methodologies are used to ensure mobile apps are adequately secured to ensure performance credibility, user integrity, and data protection.
Although there are different cyberattacks based on the software and operating systems such as android and iOS, these are the common mobile app threats;
Common Cybersecurity Issues in Mobile Applications
Here are the common mobile app cybersecurity issues:
1. Mobile Phishing
Phishing or ransomware is when a vulnerable person disguises itself as a trusted source sends a link to the user that, if opened, initiates malware or DOS attack.
When a user opens the link, it often results in locking some of the user’s important files on the device and demands a ransom to unlock them.
2. Using Infected Mobile Device
Connecting an infected mobile device with an organization’s primary network can be used to attack the organization’s server as well as other devices on the network.
This may lead to loss of important data, files, and information resulting in a negative impact on the functional and operational performance of the organization.
3. Cross-platform Banking Attacks
In cross-platform attacks, the attacker usually sends a link with a message to improve security protocols or similar.
Often such links require users to input their names and email address and connect their mobile devices.
Subsequently, they get access and control to both devices, ultimately monitoring your transactions and altering them as they want.
Tips to Improve Mobile App Security
Here are some of the tips to improve mobile app security and reduce the risk of malware to ensure appropriate performance.
1. Writing Secure Code
This one majorly comes down to the app/web development company you are consulting with; Ensuring the code does not have any loopholes and is secure from any unethical activities is a must to promote app security.
For instance, using Pro-Guard to encrypt codes into confusing characters to ensure android apps are no more prone to cyber-attacks or any other vulnerabilities.
2. Data Encryption
Implementing protocols to ensure secure data transmission by encrypting data is crucial for apps that are primarily used to transfer users’ private information or banking details.
Using channels like VPN tunnels, TLS, SLLS, and Https communication can help in adequate data encryption.
Also, using cryptography and input validation tests can help in improving security measures and data encryption to avoid snooping, MITM attacks, and packet sniffers.
3. Using Authorized APIs and Libraries
Make sure to use relevant and high-level authorized APIs and libraries in your app to improve central authorization and security in the mobile app development system.
In most cases, mobile app APIs are protected via simple API keys and user credentials that make the app more vulnerable to hackers and unethical access.
However, using app-level authentication to improve API security can help in greater security protocols.
4. Implementing High-Level Authentication
User authentication is another important strategy to ensure data protection and app security since weak authentication can increase apps’ vulnerability.
Incorporating passwords (from medium to strong level) and implementing 2-factor authentication can help in maximum data security for users.
Wrap Up
As mobile apps are now part and parcel of our lives and cater to a large part of our daily activities, ensuring optimal performance and security is essential.
While issues like phishing and DOS attack are common and may lead to loss of data, implementing relevant security measures can improve security and performance.
Also, it is always important to prioritize maximum security protocols to enhance user satisfaction and credibility.
