There has been insane growth in the development of mobile applications in the past couple of years. But this mobile app development has also brought an increase in cyber security issues.
The increased usage has made most of these apps a target of hackers, making the need of adopting data security and privacy practices even more.
It is possible that during the development of an application or a website, developers overlook the basic guidelines and security standards and don’t apply them across all devices and platforms. This can downgrade the reputation of your overall business and that’s why it is crucial that you follow security practices and the right mobile frameworks.
In this blog post, we will have an in-depth analysis of the basics of data security and how you, as a developer, can develop a mobile app that adheres to all the security guidelines and standards. From building to the final mandatory stages, we will discuss all there is to make sure your mobile app is breach-free.
Is there a difference between Data Security and Privacy?
Security and privacy are probably the two terms that often make users confused. They often coincide with each other in terms of usage but are different in some aspects.
Privacy is the data you have on the app or software. It can be anything between an email id, social media credentials or your phone number. Privacy is often a case of preference.
Conversely, security is the protection of all the private information we share with other people on the digital platform.
For instance, it’s your call on the amount of personal information you want to share with other people through your socials. Security, however, is how well any digital platform such as Instagram or Facebook can keep that information private without decryption.
Mobile App Security Threats
Here are the five most common mobile app development threats:
- The revelation of the app programming on the back end (also called reverse engineering).
- Using the same password on every platform.
- Not having an end-to-end encryption.
- Insecure data storage in cookie stores, SQL servers or binary data stores.
- Malicious coding injection while logging into a new server.
Best practices to secure your Mobile App Data
There are various practices when developing mobile applications. Some of the most prominent among them are:
# Make sure to use Encryption
Encryption involves transforming data in a way that makes sure no one except the sender and receiver can decrypt it. Its purpose is to safeguard data during transmission (via networks) or while stored, preventing interception, hacking or tampering. To ensure encryption robust algorithms, like RSA or AES are required.
# Write a Hack-proof Code
As you may already be aware, code plays a crucial role in the mobile app development solution and is also prone to vulnerabilities. Hence, it becomes crucial to prioritize the security and protection of your application's code. There are security techniques including OWASP, obfuscation, minification and other methodologies that can be utilized to enhance the security of your code.
# Prevent sensitive data with internal storage
Almost all Android applications come with internal storage that is deemed extremely secure. Since internal storage uses MODE_PRIVATE mode for creating files, it prevents other apps on the device from accessing the data provided in the particular app. This makes it one of the best practices to prevent mobile app security.
# Develop platform-specific applications
Different businesses have different requirements. There are users who utilize both Android and iOS apps based on their preferences.
Regardless of the situation, both developing apps for iOS and Android have their limitations. In fact, weak hardware or operating systems pose a security risk to Android and iOS devices making them vulnerable to hacking.
To ensure the safety of these apps against malware or hackers, there are steps that can be taken:
- Protect the app from interaction with the mobile app and device capabilities such as geolocation.
- Understand the user situations in which platform-specific constraints might be a barrier to mobile app security and plan accordingly.
- Protect your operating systems from malicious software by setting up password and encryption safeguards.
- Even the platforms you select must adhere to best practices for app security.
# Allow only necessary Access and Permissions
In order to secure your app against malicious injectors, it is crucial that you only allow necessary access or permissions. Don't allow for consumer information that your app doesn't need.
Suppose you are building an app solely for the purpose of informing about a topic. Gathering information from the user would seem unnecessary in that case. Even if it does, make sure that API access is not given to retrieve information.
Another important thing is to choose the right operating system. Check whether the OS you are using offers responsive user interface components and direct API access to necessary user data. A secure OS minimises the collection of unnecessary data without hindering the functionality of the app.
For instance, suppose you are developing a fitness app and it has a social feature that allows consumers to get the latest updates. You can use certain tools to allow your users to give access to specific contacts rather than the whole contact list. This limited access will allow your app to function better and prevent security.
The last factor that comes to play is the default settings. You need to make sure that your defaults are privacy-protective. Choosing privacy-protective default settings provides more secure protection for new users while keeping the user experience intact.
# Verify that all user inputs Adhere to Sanity check requirements
When it comes to checking your input validation, hackers are proactive. They investigate your site for any possibility of receiving incorrect data.
Input validation is a mechanism used to guarantee that only intended data is delivered through an input field. When uploading a picture, for example, the file must have a reasonable size and an extension that fits common image file extensions.
A hacker might submit a harmful file masquerading your image if your input validation does not contain parameters limiting unrealistic pixel counts or file sizes.
This vulnerability affects all input fields, including audio, video, form fields and even command line inputs.
# Secure your servers
Make sure to secure your servers and network connections for your mobile app. Servers hold all your app files, manage communication with third-party APIs, and deliver app pages to users. Network security is a top concern for IT decision-makers. Malware attacks on servers can lead to data loss, damage user trust, and harm your brand reputation.
To protect your mobile app server:
- Install firewalls.
- Use SSL for secure communication.
- Set strong passwords for server access.
- Secure your MySQL database.
- Protect your CMS.
- Monitor your server regularly.
- Use containerization for data security.
- Enable federation security for secure collaboration.
# Secure your BYOD
Most organizations these days allow for personal devices. If you are one of those, make sure you maintain the security of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).
To guarantee data security, follow these best practices:
- Clear Security Policies: Create well-defined rules and guidelines for employees who use their personal devices for work (BYOD). These policies should cover when and how the devices can be used, what data can be accessed, and any other relevant usage restrictions. Having these policies in place helps establish boundaries and sets expectations for employees regarding their device usage.
- VPN: It is a technology that encrypts the data shared between the company providing the service to the user. This gives employees the opportunity to access data on third-party or suspicious networks. It's crucial to choose a VPN for mobile to ensure optimal performance and security.
- Antivirus software: It refers to a security program that helps protect devices from forms of malware, including viruses ransomware and other software. By using antivirus software on employees' mobile devices, the risk of malware attacks is significantly reduced. This ensures the safety of company data.
- Password Management: Organizations should implement password management tools or policies to ensure strong password practices among employees. Strong passwords help prevent unauthorized access to devices and the sensitive data stored on them.
- Ensuring the Safety of Sensitive Transactions: It is crucial to implement measures when employees engage in transactions, like financial activities or accessing confidential information. Incorporating security protocols, such as two-factor authentication can provide a level of protection.
- Managing Access Control: To uphold security standards organizations should regulate employees' access to applications, emails and social media accounts, on their devices. This helps prevent unauthorized access to company resources and reduces potential risks associated with data exposure.
- Regular Log Deletion: Logs contain information about activities on a device, and regular deletion ensures that sensitive data doesn't accumulate and become vulnerable to potential data leaks or unauthorized access.
Final thoughts
There are numerous methods to develop a hack-proof mobile app that is protected against attacks from anonymous sources; nevertheless, no number of security measures can ever be adequate to protect a mobile app. Investigating the most effective security measures for mobile app development is one possible approach to take. Despite the fact that the digital world is now accessible to everyone and everyone and that no user can ever be completely protected from viruses and other types of security breaches, these precautions guarantee that any personal information you save on your digital devices will remain secure.
