A security issue is present in 50% of applications with 5-10 million installations.
As the use of mobile devices continues to increase, so does the importance of securing our apps. With the vast amount of sensitive information stored on our phones, it’s crucial to improve your app security. This will prevent it from potential threats.
This blog will provide some essential tips for keeping your application secure.
1. Test, Test, Test
The more testing you can do on the application, whether it is via device testing or simulating real-world circumstances, the better. Penetration testing is a quick and efficient approach to do this. In essence, penetration testing is the process through which specialists conduct various automated and human intrusions into programs to assess their security measures.
To uncover flaws that would otherwise go undetected until it is too late, penetration testing applies comparable but altered variations of real-world hacks on the program. Before releasing the software, a penetration test makes sure there are no obvious security gaps by providing insightful information about where vulnerabilities exist.
2. Use Authorization and Authentication Effectively
Authorization and authentication are the initial steps in developing a secure software platform. Use credentials to identify individuals if you want only certain users to have access to the application.
For instance, you have an employee directory application that uses email addresses to categorize different employees. In such a scenario, before storing the emails in the database, you must encrypt them.
By using data encryption, even if a hacker manages to access the database, they won’t be able to view that data. Once you determine who has access to the application, it’s critical to cross-reference all incoming requests with that user list.
Application Authentication
This is the process of confirming a user’s or a device’s identification and verifying that your users are who they claim to be. For instance, as part of Facebook’s security procedures, you must input your login name and password to log in from any device.
It makes sure that you are who you claim to be and that no one else may use your password to log in as you are on another device.
Application Authorization
Your device will ask you whether to give an app permission to access private data or features whenever you download an app. It is referred to as “app authorization” since it enables programs to access particular system resources. A unique password or security measure can be used for each kind of service.
3. Utilize the Mobile Device Features
Utilize device capabilities that enable you to close down apps, such as fingerprint authentication, voice recognition, biometric facial scanning software, and others. These additional security measures can stop unauthorized people from accessing the data.
Employ encryption techniques when you need to exchange data with third parties; for instance, when delicate user data is involved. The data of your customers will be safer if you take this step.
Additionally, it makes it far more difficult for anybody to access any data saved on their device, even hackers. Be aware of any business trends or alterations to governmental regulations that may have an impact on you or your clients.
Getting ahead of trends might provide you with an advantage over rivals who are sluggish at adapting, as changes frequently revolve around new developing technology. For increased protection against fraud, many consumers want to have their transactions safeguarded by 3D Secured technology.
4. Minimize Attack Surface Area
Operating systems and applications are often attacked. These days, getting hacked is a question of when rather than if. You must reduce the attack surface and often test for security flaws if you want to keep your application safe from unwanted intruders.
The first step in minimizing the attack surface is to utilize fewer devices. The more sensors or displays there are for users to engage with the system, the more entry points there are for malicious actors to infiltrate and cause harm.
5. Encrypt Sensitive Data
Encryption safeguards users in applications that store or exchange sensitive information with other parties or on the device. If someone else manages to access the database, they won’t be able to view any of your data encrypted. It can only be accessed by authorized users.
Encrypting user data helps guarantee that the majority of vulnerabilities get neutralized before they have a chance to harm protection. This occurs even if no security solution is infallible.
Data encryption is everywhere and is quick and simple to install, although it is not perfect. Many cloud-based systems provide AES 256-bit encryption at rest. Even if the database is breached, your data is secure from snoopers.
However, even encrypted data may get decrypted using brute force assaults. For more security, consider implementing double hashing and tokenization. Tokens act as stand-ins for actual user credentials. Hackers can’t use them until they perform a process known as hashing to determine what they stand for.
For all login details, employs strong hashing techniques. Hackers who can get beyond your encryption will have trouble with this. We go one step further and save user credentials in hashed format rather than plain text.
6. Develop a Strong API Strategy
APIs are the primary channels for data flow among applications and cloud spaces. So, protecting your API is crucial for the security of your online and mobile applications.
If the functioning of your app depends on another party’s API, proceed with caution. This implies that you are depending on the security of their code. To reduce vulnerability, make sure the APIs give access to only the components of the app.
Involve App Security Specialists in Your Project
Employ a qualified professional to assist you in making the mobile application secure. They have a strong understanding of programming languages and user experience design.
Contact us today and let us help you take your app security to the next level.
