Let's Talk
To make a great custom mobile app development company app, you need to keep it safe. Bad guys are always trying to break into apps and steal information. If this happens, it can be really bad for your users, your company’s image, and your money. But If you follow some simple steps, you can protect your app and everyone who uses it. Here are important things you can do to keep your app safe from attacks.
Data Encryptions
These days, lots of people use apps on different devices like phones and tablets. To keep the information shared in those apps safe, we use something called encryption. Encryption is like scrambling a secret message so no one else can read it.
There are two main ways to scramble the message:
- Symmetric encryption: Uses the same secret code to scramble and unscramble the message.
- Asymmetric encryption: Uses two different codes – one to scramble (public) and another to unscramble (private).
Symmetric encryption is faster but both people need to know the secret code, which can be risky. Asymmetric encryption is safer for sharing codes but takes a bit longer.
Besides encryption, it’s also really important to build apps the right way from the start. This means writing code carefully to avoid weak spots that bad guys could use to get in. By making apps carefully and using strong encryption, we can keep everyone’s information safe.
Protecting Your App’s Code
Every program has a core architecture that is made up of multiple bits of code. So, in terms of mobile app security, secure codes might be quite crucial.
According to a survey from IT Pro Portal, 82% of vulnerabilities are found in application source code. This means that the source code must be free of bugs and vulnerabilities.
Hiring a skilled app designer can provide you peace of mind knowing that your mobile app is secure. Along with having an expert on board, mobile application testing is the greatest approach to ensure that the code is secure and free of vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
User Authentication & Compliance
Mobile applications receive the most contributions through UGC (user-generated content). Without a robust user authentication method, UGC is vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hackers can acquire access to users’ essential information by using phishing tactics.
Once they have access to user accounts, malware injection becomes simple via UGC. Here, you can use user authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication. Unlike typical authentication, one-time passwords, tokens, security keys, or other methods provide an additional degree of security.
For example, a two-factor authentication procedure enables users to authenticate their identity using an OTP received on the device. Compliance is also an important aspect of mobile application security.
Secure APIs
APIs are vital for integrating third-party services and improving functionality. It enables heterogeneous systems to engage with one another and share data. However, for greater app security, you should use secure APIs and avoid exposing the data transmitted. The most effective technique to secure API security is to use data access authorizations.
Secure Backend Systems
Make sure the app and the servers safely talk to each other. Use strong security measures, like HTTPS, to keep the information safe while it’s being sent back and forth.
Use strong passwords and other security checks to make sure only the right people can access the app and the servers. This will help prevent anyone who shouldn’t be there from getting in.
Safeguarding Data in Transit
When data is transmitted from a mobile device to server-side endpoints, attackers from a custom mobile app development company may intercept the HTTP communication. There are numerous methods for securing this data in transit, including Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Certificate Pinning. TLS evolved from Secure Socket Layers (SSL), and it allows you to encrypt data in transit with public key cryptography. TLS does not truly secure the data on end systems, but it does block data access during digital transmission.
Be Careful with Third-Party Libraries
Although third-party libraries may save time and effort by reusing pre-written code, they can also pose significant security threats. Because you did not write the code, there may be security flaws that attackers can exploit. For example, the communication capability of Log4j has a security flaw that allows attackers to inject code into logs.
Code Review and Update Dependencies
Regularly evaluate and analyze the app’s code to discover and address security flaws. Peer reviews help to provide a full assessment of potential risks.
Dependency Updates: Keep all third-party libraries and dependencies up to date. Check for security fixes and updates that address known vulnerabilities in external components.
Secure Your Server and Network
Make sure the server and network that your custom mobile app development company talks with are safe. A secure server considerably lowers the likelihood of harmful assaults.
Use firewalls and detection systems for intrusions to safeguard your servers. Conduct regular network security audits to identify vulnerabilities.
Backup Your Data Regularly
A solid backup system assures that, even in the worst-case scenario, you can recover lost data. Implement automatic, regular backups and evaluate your recovery procedures to verify they are effective.
Evolving Security Measures
Mobile app security is always changing, with new threats popping up regularly. To keep apps safe, it’s important to stay informed about the latest security developments and how attackers are changing their tactics. Regularly checking and adjusting the app’s security measures will help protect it from new cyber threats.
Have a look at some of the mobile app security tools:
NowSecure:
Performs comprehensive mobile app security testing for both Android and iOS platforms, finding vulnerabilities while offering insights into potential threats.
Veracode:
A comprehensive application security platform that provides static and dynamic analysis, program composition analysis, and manual penetration testing for mobile apps.
Checkmarx:
Specializes in static application safety testing (SAST) for mobile apps, analyzing source code to detect weaknesses early in the development process.
Implement Security Headers
Security headers in your application can assist guard against some common forms of attacks, like clickjacking and cross-site scripting.
Use HTTP security response headers such as Content-Security-Policy and X-XSS-Protection to protect your application against a variety of threats.
Minimize Storage of Sensitive Data
Storing private information usually involves some level of danger, therefore aim to avoid or at least limit the quantity of sensitive data saved. If you need to save sensitive data, avoid doing it on the device itself. Instead of keeping the data locally, consider utilizing an encrypted data container or keychain. Similarly, implementing an auto-delete tool might help to confirm the deletion of sensitive data as soon as you no longer require it.
Incorporate Security from the Start
Security should be considered at the start of the app development process, not as an afterthought. This strategy, known as “security by design,” ensures that security features are built into the app’s design rather than being added afterward.
Conclusion
Prioritizing Custom App Development Company security in the face of emerging threats is more than simply a competitive advantage; it is also a critical step for maintaining business reputation and regulatory compliance. To reduce these threats, organizations should implement a variety of mobile app security best practices, such as secure code, regular upgrades, robust authentication, and real-time threat monitoring.
