There are tens of millions of mobile applications that are currently there both on iOS and Google Play Stores and users are accessing those apps on a greater note. But the downside of this is that there are an equal number of eavesdroppers who are ready to attack, breach security systems, and stole the valuable enterprise’s data with their virus filled files and documents.
This means that the mobile application developers must stay sharp and watchful to guard their application users. And from my years of experience, here are top 6 security concerns you absolutely need to know which are exceedingly affecting users today.
- Relying plainly on built-in platform security
Even though there are a lot of mobile application development platforms, none of them are actually immune to any kind of serious defense concerns. In fact, it took a pretty long time even for iOS platform to address these biggest security issues even though every mobile app on iOS goes through a screening process before they go live to make sure that they are hack-free. But this doesn’t imply that all apps in the iOS app store are protected and free from viruses because the screening process will not be able to find every single malware and virus or the particular hacker who is trying to breach the app's security systems.
On the other side, Android leaves the whole task of who is what on its users and lets them choose which is good and which is not via user/customer reviews. After learning this, you might be thinking that both iOS and Android have their own pitfalls but nonetheless, you shouldn't trust entirely either of the platforms. So brace yourselves and make your security systems stronger and better.
- Developing secure mobile applications
The mobile malware uses security concerns or defects in the programming or coding part of the application. Executing the finest security practices in the mobile app development is essential and that includes the application of source code scanning procedures and standards. Such security measures can assist your mobile application rebounding to any security threats.
It is also important to investigate code from 3rd party apps or any mobile application which is allowed to accompany on the mobile phones that are used by the employees in the company. In such situations, executables must be scanned at any cost.
- Utilizing previous codes
It certainly demands weeks or even months for some apps to develop. Sometimes, the mobile application developers tend to utilize the free programming codes that are available on the internet to build applications so that they can save some time but the truth is that the eavesdroppers create such codes in the hope that any mobile application developer would come and just take them up to utilize in their mobile applications.
This gives the eavesdroppers the data and the access they need to get into your database on a golden platter and hence they just steal whatever data they want without your knowledge. According to the hacking news from “The hack post”, usually Pakistani and Iraqi hackers breach security systems of the mobile applications and website of well-known people and companies by utilizing some current codes.
- Using weak encryption or not using anything at all
As the cutting-edge technologies are emerging day by day, encryption algorithms are also becoming stale and simpler to hack. No matter whether you have a custom software development company or something else, your company's and customers data are at stake so if you utilize ineffective or no encryption at all in your application then it could endanger your whole app and business. Various applications ask customers to provide their sensitive information, such as social security numbers, credit/debit card details, or even personal identification information.
Without any kind of robust encryption, each such sensitive data can be easily stolen. Remember one thing– The more famous your app is, the more vulnerable it is for hacks and security threats. And that is why it is important for you to spend the amount on stronger encryption services in case you want to secure your app and customer's data.
- Not taking physical security breach into consideration
There is actually nothing much that application developers can do to block smartphones from being stolen or misplaced, however executing a local session timeout code definitely will assist the users. Basically, application users should regularly enter an identification pin or password to open the app.
Instead of happening on a daily basis, they could do something that can ask the user to enter the password once in a week or once in a fortnight. At times, when the smartphone devices have particular software that can remember the passwords, but it is the local session timeout that limits these of activities.
- Not performing protected communications to servers
In most of the cases, mobile applications that manage sensitive customer data connect back to a server. Hence, you should ensure that the transfer is secured. Because you certainly don't want anything blocked on an unsafe WiFi connection. This kind of security is largely accomplished via encryption and SSL certificates. If you neglect to utilize the proper SSL libraries, then it can jeopardize your customer information.
Wondering what more you can do?
It is extremely important to consider and think upon all of the above-mentioned security concerns for securing your mobile application through stronger and better development decisions. For companies developing and deploying applications internally to their employees, there are a few off- the-book strategies to consider.
An enterprise mobility management (EMM) solution gives security normally not directed through direct application development. So those protections start with the basic and necessary, disclosure and remediation if an iOS or Android device is jailbroken. If the built-in security of the mobile operating system is eliminated, then none of the application specific protections are going to hold the data safe for a long time as all of the above-mentioned issues are developed upon the possible mobile phone operating system protection traits.
This guest post is courtesy of Sohel Ather.
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