A Complete Checklist To Build a Secure Mobile App

Mobile technology is omnipresent in the modern world. Mobile app devices are now more popular than desktops and laptops.

Smartphones are an integral part of modern life. They carry sensitive financial and personal information.

You might think that smartphones are filled with apps. Yes. Many new businesses are also looking to create an app for their business. App security is becoming a major concern as the app industry booms.

Hacking an app will result in a loss of trust, which can be very difficult to rebuild. Cybercrimes evolve as technology advances.

App security is vital, as there are many security threats in the cyber world. Many enterprise applications also exchange sensitive information, which hackers are always looking Büyükçekmece Escort for.

Recent research shows that more than 75% fail basic security tests on mobile apps. App security is not an option, but a necessity.

When you begin to code your first app, every app must follow a security checklist. Even one break-in can give you access to a lot of information about the user.

Let’s go over the mobile security checklist to make sure your app is secure for both you and your users.

What is Application Security?

App security refers to the security of mobile apps from hackers and malware by using the most effective security practices.

Mobile security is now mandatory.

Before an app can be made online, it should adhere to a security checklist. The app can be hacked and it will give access to personal information as well as banking information, current location, etc.

Mobile Security Compromised: The Effects

The shocking revelations of the IBM/pokemon survey revealed that:

• Around 40% of large companies do not scan their code to ensure mobile security. This opens the door for hackers to gain access to the application.
• 50% of companies that create mobile apps don’t have the budget to secure their apps.
• 33% of companies don’t test their apps for security.

According to a 2014 survey, hackers have accessed approximately 1 billion personal data.

The number of malware-related attacks is on the rise. A weak or very low app security system could be a gateway for hackers to gain access.

Customer information

Access to any website’s login credentials. Also, cybercriminals will need to know the exact location of customers.

Financial information

Hackers could gain credit card or debit card information. The app is highly vulnerable to payment transactions, especially if there isn’t a one-time password.

IP theft

Hackers can access the code base of an app to create a clone. The app becomes more popular, the more likely it is to be copied.

Revenue loss

Paid subscriptions are the main source of revenue for many apps. To gain access to premium features, hackers can easily hack into your security system. This could lead to revenue loss in gaming and OTT.

Brand confidence is at risk

Because they trust the brand, users provide their email IDs and financial information. Hacking can result in brand trust and loss of confidence. It is difficult to regain trust and you may lose your market share.

Security risks for Android and iOS apps

Mobile apps are not designed to be used as antiviruses. Mobile apps are intended to offer smoother and better functionality to users.

Poorly coded apps will not be protected by antivirus. Both iOS and Android app development are fraught with risk. Here are some tips to help you manage the risks involved in software development.

Security threats in Android apps

• Reverse engineering
• Unsecure platform usage
• Don’t pay attention to updates
• Using rooted devices

Security risks in iOS apps

• Jailbreak
• User authentication using Touch ID
• Apps that store insecure data

Other security threats

• Inadequacy of encryption
• Malicious code injection
• Binary planting
• Mobile botnets

Mobile App Security Checklist

Mobile app security starts with ensuring that the app is secure and safe. We need to ensure that every step of the mobile app development process is secure.

Regardless of how well-designed the development process is, bugs and mistakes in the code will still exist. Hackers can easily gain access to the data they need by gaining this information. It’s a difficult question to know how to secure your mobile apps.

Let’s take a look at the top mobile app development security checklist to ensure better mobile security.

Secure the source code

Programming an app is a fundamental part of the source code. Many app developers now use open-source code.

Open-source code can be more dangerous than closed-source code because hackers can easily create clone apps using reverse engineering techniques and tools on the internet.

It is therefore more important to protect the code.

Software such as Proguard can be used to obscure the codebase. Obfuscating code is making it difficult to understand the code by changing class, method, and attribute names into meaningless characters or letters.

Mobile communications secured

There are many ways to hack the data being transferred from the user to the app. Hackers can use WiFi or cellular networks to attack users. It is crucial to protect data when communicating.

Effectively use cryptography

The security of apps is the most important element. Cryptography is one such key component. However, improper implementation of cryptography can reduce mobile security.

You should make sure you use the most recent APIs to provide the highest level of security when using cryptography. Insecure cryptography tools such as MD5, MD4, and SHA1 are among the most popular. You can improve your app’s cyber security by choosing the right cryptography tool.

Before releasing an app, make sure you test the cryptography.

Penetration Testing

One way to spot flaws in the hacker’s eyes is through penetration testing. It allows us to discover any weaknesses the attacker might use.

Penetration testing is:

• Checking password policies,
• Unencrypted data
• Permission to third-party apps
• There is no password expiry protocol and much more.

Regular penetration testing is strongly recommended to make sure hackers don’t have access to your data.

Enforce Strong Authentication

Cyber security is based on strong authentication. High-level authentication can reduce the chance of password guessing and unauthorized access.

Multi-factor authentication is a method of securing your account by providing a secret code via SMS, a captcha, or email. Stronger authentication will ensure app security.

For enhanced app security, you can also perform location-based login or time of day.

Avoid the use of personal devices

Many mobile app development companies offer employees the option to use their devices for testing and coding, to save money. This can lead to data and code leakage. 

Prevent Data Leaks

Any personal app can be installed by users without putting their security data at risk. It is important to separate business apps and personal apps. You can also prevent data leaks by:

• Avoid copy-paste features
• Block-taking screenshots.
• Watermarking sensitive files
• Stop confidential files from being saved on the phone.

Use Third Party Libraries with Care

Third-party libraries can speed up the release of apps and are very useful in the development process. However, it can also pose risks to mobile security.

Hacking is less likely if you use fewer third-party libraries. Before you use the library in your app, make sure to test it.

Do not save passwords

Apps save passwords on their devices for ease of use so users don’t have to type them every time they log in.

Developers should not save passwords on mobiles to avoid this. The passwords can be saved in the app server to allow customers to log in from the web server in case of loss or other emergencies.

Conclusion

Mobile app development security is a top priority. You should follow the mobile security checklist if you plan to create an app or run a software company that uses an app.