Wednesday 17 November 2021

Tips to improve Mobile application security



Mobile apps have revolutionized everything around us. It made a paradigm shift in the way companies and individuals operate in their respective roles. Whether for personal use or business operations, the availability of mobile apps to manage tasks on the go keeps convenience and ease as two key factors. This is a very important aspect of any application as it ensures that your users are safe with their data while you, the developer, know that all is well. However, many developers don't think about it until the later stages of development. This is how you increase the security of your mobile app development services during app development. 

  1. Data transmission security 

Data breaches and theft need to be protected from sensitive information being sent from the client to the server. VPN, SSL, TLS can help protect data in transit and encrypt it between source and destination. This ensures the security of the mobile application. 


  1. Application code encryption 

Encrypting code and testing for vulnerabilities is one of the most basic and important steps in the application development process. Before launching the app, the mobile app developer protects the app code using encryption and practices such as perplexity and minimization. Additionally, code encryption is required for jailbreak detection, checksum control, debugger detection control, and more. 


  1. Giving identification, approval, and certification  

Authentication and approval technologies such as APIs allow users to prove the identity of their applications by adding another layer of security to the login process. It helps in confirming them before the information is shared.

 

Tip time: 

  • If you are using a third-party API to use the information and make sure you can only access the main part with complete security in the application. 


  • OAuth2 is the norm for managing secure connections in applications. If you want to use two-factor authentication, you must install it in the security layer of the application. It is only permitted for those who enter the required identification data and use the application for the stated purpose. 


  • For encrypted data transfer, JSON network tokens are lightweight and fitting for mobile safety. 


  • OpenID Connect is a unified protocol for mobile devices only. It uses identification tokens to allow users to reuse their credentials across domains, eliminating the need to re-register and log in each time. 

 

  1. Understand platform-specific limitations 

If you are developing for multiple mobile operating systems, it is better to understand the security features and limitations of the platform, and then encrypt them appropriately. You should also consider different application scenarios, encryption support, password support, and support for operating system geolocation data to control and distribute applications according to your chosen platform. 


  1. Be Secure with the back end 

A large number of application programming interfaces (APIs) on the back end means that applications that have been reported to have access it can reach out with it. But the fact is very far away from that. Back-end servers must have security systems in place to protect against malicious attacks. Therefore, you need to ensure that all APIs are authenticated on an encrypted mobile platform, as API transport and authentication processes may vary from platform to platform. 


  1. Source code encryption 

Since most native mobile app code is client-side, mobile malware can easily track errors and vulnerabilities in source code and design. Developers require to assure that their apps are sturdy enough to deter attacks by contrary engineering and tampering. Source encryption is an ideal technique to protect your software from these threats as it ensures that it is unreadable. 


  1. Be Concerned with API 

Application programming interfaces, or you can say APIs, are an integral part of backend development and help applications communicate with each other. However, because they are tough, they can pose security problems. 

 

  1. Protect your network 

In addition to securing your code, you also need to ensure that the servers your mobile app can access are secure. In this way, you can protect your user data and prevent unauthorized access. Make sure the API and the people who will have access to the server are verified. In this way, you can protect the data transferred from the client to the server and the database. You can increase the security of your network by using an encrypted connection or by connecting to a virtual private network. If neither of these options is possible, consider another security measure called containerization. This method creates an encrypted container that is best used for protecting important documents and data. 


  1. Be careful with libraries 

If you're using a third-party library, be careful twice and test the code thoroughly before using it in your app. While useful, some libraries can be very unsafe for your application. For example, the GNU C library has a vulnerability that allows an attacker to remotely execute malicious code and damage the system. And this weak point remained undiscovered for more than seven years. Developers should use controlled internal repositories and control rules at the time of purchase to protect their applications from library vulnerabilities. 


  1. Enforce access policy 

Mobile application development must be in line with the company policy of the organization's IT administrator. Likewise, it must also match the listed app stores, including the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. By using protected frameworks, it is also possible to reduce the attack area of ​​your application. If you apply any of the strategies described above, it's almost impossible for hackers to break into your app. However, it is equally important to keep up to date with the latest cybersecurity tools and techniques to better protect your applications. Monitor malpractices of data breaches and attacker threats in the same way. The best part about the method discussed above is that it is fast and easy to use. Furthermore, you can continuously ask aid from mobile app development company and mobile app safety specialists for the best outcomes. 


  1. Create a checklist of possible threats 

Before you test a mobile security app, make a list of threats and vulnerabilities. This provides a clearer picture and makes the next steps easier and more effective. Here are some common vulnerabilities to include on your checklist: 

  • Data transfer 

  • Data storage 

  • Point of entry 

  • data leak 

  • Authentication 

  • Server control 


The checklist will vary depending on the type of application and the industry in which you are developing it. Involve your entire team in developing this checklist. 


  1. Call it done as soon as it is secure 

Finally, once you've completed all the necessary tests and you know your app is ready, you can't mark it as ready until you understand that security is ready. Check everything a few times to be sure. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

How to lessen time-complexity using Joblib in python web development

With the addition of several pre-refinement steps and computationally intensive pipelines, at some point, it becomes necessary to make the f...