Mobile App Security: Risks, Solutions, and Best Practices
Mobile devices are increasingly becoming a primary element for business interactions and operations due to mobility and handy access. Mobile app developers have launched thousands of apps to support personal and business needs.
Due to versatile usage and access to confidential data, the security of mobile applications has also become compulsory for today's business landscapes. Mobile app security is a set of security measures that enable businesses and app developers to prevent malicious attacks and safeguard data associated with the applications.
This article will comprehensively discuss the role of mobile app security measures and different ways to reduce cyber-attack risks.
- 1 : Negative Impacts of Low-Secured Mobile Apps
- 2 : Top Mobile Security Risks
- 3 : Ways to Reduce the Risk of Mobile Attack
- 4 : What Role Does MAST Play in the App Life Cycle?
- 5 : 3 Best MAST Tools
- 6 : Best Practices to Enhance Mobile App Security
- 7 : Security Considerations Should Prioritize When Developing An App
1Negative Impacts of Low-Secured Mobile Apps
Low-secured mobile apps can affect companies in many ways, especially for companies that apply BYOD policy to perform business operations.
- Data Breaches and Unauthorized Access: There is a serious risk of data leaks by low-security mobile apps. Since businesses keep sensitive information in their apps, it is all the easier for hackers to exploit flaws.
- Financial Loss and Legal Consequences: Unsecure mobile applications put businesses in a precarious financial position. Stealing financial information leads to monetary loss as well as legal impacts.
- Reputational Damage: News of a data breach or compromised mobile app can cost customers, partners, and shareholder trust with alarming speed. After such an event, rebuilding trust is difficult. It can have a long-term adverse effect on the brand's image and market position.
- Disruption of Business Operations: A compromised mobile app can affect normal business operations. Cyberattacks like ransomware or DDoS attacks can also disable the app, leading to downtime and lost productivity. However, this disruption can often affect an entire company's operations.
2Top Mobile Security Risks
Malware Attacks
Malware is bad software attackers can send through direct links, direct downloads, or malicious apps. Since most people use mobile apps every day, cybercriminals take advantage of this. So, how do hackers infect devices with malware? Their methods include injecting harmful code into legitimate applications or creating counterfeit apps. Organizations should set up company-owned devices into kiosk mode that only allow work-related apps to run.
Unsafe Third-Party APIs
Third-party APIs help apps communicate and share data, which increases their functionality. Nevertheless, some security risks arise with these APIs, as they offer hackers access to sensitive data. For the safety of apps and user data, it is essential to have integrated third-party APIs. There should be strict assessment and compliance with stringent security standards as well.
Weak Encryption
Data on apps with inappropriate encryption can expose to hacking. Encryption is an effective defense against data leaks. Even if attackers steal the data, it cannot be used without a decryption key. For effective encryption, use robust encryption algorithms, keep up with standards, and employ secure protocols for data transmission, such as HTTPS or TLS.
Insecure Authentication
An app's lack of enforcement of strong passwords is a vulnerability to authentication insecurity. It makes it easier for cybercriminals to attack the app. It is essential for apps with sensitive information to implement a strict password policy and consider two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access.
Rooting or Jailbreaking
Jailbreaking refers to unlocking the manufacturer's settings and making changes according to the requirements. It provides enhanced support for businesses to manage device operations, but overriding built-in safety measures of device manufacturers exposes the device to malicious code. It then allows hackers to steal confidential data on devices without restriction.
Unpatched Vulnerabilities
Hackers can exploit app code vulnerabilities to break into systems, get information, or take charge. Whenever developers fail to correct these errors, unpatched vulnerabilities happen. It is necessary to update apps regularly through patches to address vulnerabilities and minimize the chances of being hacked.
3Ways to Reduce the Risk of Mobile Attack
3.1MAST Strategy
Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST) is an effective strategy for security testing of mobile apps to help developers mitigate the risks of data loss and privacy. MAST provides numerous benefits to support mobile apps and regularly tests app functions to ensure app safety. Here are some essential benefits that MAST provides to business apps:
- MAST helps identify security issues early in app development so problems can be resolved before deployment.
- It also strengthens the app against all kinds of cyber-security threats.
- You can thoroughly review the app code during testing to ensure secure coding and make the app perfect for use.
- MAST protects user data by finding and fixing vulnerabilities that break-ins could exploit.
- MAST ensures that the app conforms to industry security standards, which are vital for regulatory compliance.
- Using MAST compared to post-deployment solutions, you can detect and fix security vulnerabilities at early stages.
- With regular testing, you can ensure high data security, leading to enhanced user experience and trust.
- Through proactive testing that spots vulnerabilities, MAST prevents financial and reputational loss for mobile app users.
3.2Check permissions of Installed Apps
Another way to reduce the risk of mobile attacks and privacy breaches is to check the permissions allowed for individual apps. It will help you identify if any app is given unnecessary permission to access your device data like contacts, pictures, videos, and other files. Identify such apps, disable their permissions, and uninstall those that are found suspicious.
3.3Avoid unknown links and apps
You can reduce the risk of mobile attacks by choosing apps for business operations. Avoid downloading unknown apps and play stores. Typically, Android users download apps from the Google Play Store, and Apple users download mobile apps from the Apple Store because the apps available on these platforms are first qualified for a security certificate. After verification of security, they are officially updated on the Store.
4What Role Does MAST Play in the App Life Cycle?
Mobile application security testing (MAST) continues its processing through the app lifecycle to reduce the downtime of apps and implement a proactive approach for the safe deployment and working of apps.
- Development Phase
In the development phase, MAST helps developers to identify vulnerabilities by conducting security assessments. Developers also review the code and implement automated tools to address issues at early stages to avoid disturbance.
- Testing and Quality Assurance Phase
During app testing, MAST uses penetration testing to ensure the app is strong enough to fight against malicious attacks. Dynamic analysis of the app enables developers to fix security flaws before deploying the app officially.
- Deployment Phase
During the app deployment phase, MAST conducts a final assessment to ensure the app meets all the security requirements and is ready for deployment.
- Post-Deployment (App Use) Phase
MAST does not end after officially configuring the app; instead, it continues to manage ongoing security challenges. With continuous monitoring, developers can identify new security vulnerabilities.
- Maintenance and Updates Phase
Mobile apps also require regular maintenance and updates to ensure the latest security measures are there to protect against malware. MAST provides new updates that do not contain security flaws or vulnerabilities that can affect app operations.
53 Best MAST Tools
There are several free and commercial mobile application security tools available that assess app using either static or dynamic testing methodologies.
1Appknox
Appknox is a security testing solution that enables you to identify vulnerabilities in your app within sixty minutes using its automated tools so the team can easily focus on other development and deployment tasks.
Appknox provides a comprehensive vulnerability assessment of the app by uploading the binary of your mobile app. The step is just one click away, and it will process. Vulnerability assessment includes SAST, DAST, and API scans.
Reports generated after thorough testing and analysis include the CVSS score that discloses the extent of the issue in the app and its consequences if not timely resolved.
It also offers penetration testing with step-to-step follow-ups. The steps include connecting the app with Appknox, where you will find top security researchers to assist you. Then, reports will be generated based on the results, and remediation steps will be applied to optimize the app and make it bug-free.
Why we Recommend it?
- It provides highly trained and experienced security researchers to help understand the security score, its impact on the app and users, and resolutions for removing threats.
2Checkmarx
Checkmarx is one of the most appropriate security testing solution providers, providing organizations with a cloud-native platform to test mobile apps. Checkmarx One is one solution that helps enterprises reduce the security risks for all app components, including open-source, APIs, and proprietary code.
With Checkmarx services, large enterprises can tailor AppSec and stay updated with the latest malicious threats to build a robust app security system.
They aim to support large enterprises by enabling them to secure every app development phase and balance the dynamic requirements for security and development teams. It allows them to boost business, lower the TCO, and optimize risk management.
Products:
- SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
- SCA (Software Composition Analysis)
- SSCS (Supply Chain Security)
- API Security
- DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
- IaC Security (Secure Infrastructure as Code)
Services:
- AppSec Services
- AppSec Accelerator
- AppSec Maturity Assessment
- Other than these services, Checkmarx is also providing financial services.
Why we Recommend it?
- We recommend this testing solution because of its comprehensive support for mobile app developers to identify and demolish the latest vulnerabilities.
3esChecker by eShard
esChecker is a MAST solution that strengthens your mob app security while reducing the testing costs and risks for malware attacks.
It performs security testing at a binary level to reduce testing time, lower the infrastructure costs, and identify bugs earlier. Its primary focus is on dynamic testing.
esChecker also offers customized testing to avoid false positives and enables its user journey tests for advanced security. It also generates OWASP reports to check compliance with OWASP MASVS. You can transform your DevOps into DeVSecOps to manage security without disturbing the development cycle.
Why we Recommend it?
- You can combine both static and dynamic testing for enhanced protection. It allows developers to test sequences on critical user journeys and supports its video recording.
6Best Practices to Enhance Mobile App Security
Here are some mobile app security best practices every app developer should implement:
- Secure Data in Transit
You can safeguard data transmission by implementing techniques and protocols like TLS (Transport Layer Security) and certificate pinning. TLS helps encrypt data for safe transferring, while certificate pinning helps verify the certificates against domains. You can choose various methods depending on the type of application and its requirements. Keep the sensitivity of data in mind while selecting the protocols.
- Manage App Permissions
The IT administrator should properly manage the app permissions on company devices, ensuring that only secure permissions are granted. Sensitive permissions such as microphones and cameras should be carefully considered before granting. AirDroid Business allows you to proceed app management and app configuration remotely.
- Write Secure Code
By using secure codes, you can easily defend against cyber-attacks. Regular application testing and obfuscating and minifying code are also helpful in ensuring security. Identify bugs in the testing phase and eliminate them. You can also automate app updates to provide timely updates and implement the latest security measures.
- Encrypt All Data
Data encryption is the prime factor that helps prevent data misuse. Encrypted data can be stolen but cannot be retrieved or read unless decrypted.
- Use Authorized APIs Only
You can mitigate various security risks by using only authorized APIs. Try to incorporate a centralized authorization mechanism for safer utilization of APIs. You must also exercise caution when managing cached authorizations for safer transmission.
- Use High-Level Authentication
You should implement strong passwords and multi-factor authentications like biometric verification to prevent unauthorized access to mobile apps.
7Security Considerations Should Prioritize When Developing An App
Data Encryption
In data encryption, sensitive information is converted to coded form so it can't be stolen. Encryption is essential to protect user data transmitted and stored when developing an app. Data is encrypted using robust encryption algorithms such as AES. Even if attackers should access it, they still would need the decryption key to read it.
Authentication and Authorization
Authorization determines what actions or data users can gain access to. Using robust authentication, such as strong password policies and multi-factor authorizations coupled with a granular system of role or permission-based access controls, provides additional layers of security overall.
Secure Coding Practices
What's needed are secure coding practices and writing code with security in mind to prevent vulnerabilities. It also involves input validation, avoiding hardcoded passwords, and frequent source code inspections. Techniques for hardening code, like obfuscation, make it more difficult for attackers to understand the logic of the code and thus protect against reverse engineering.
Regular Security Updates
With newly discovered vulnerabilities, updated security is vital. Developers should track current security threats and issue patches or updates in a timely fashion to reduce risk. Updating the app prevents it from buckling under new threats.
Secure Communication
It is essential to secure communications between the app and servers so they cannot be intercepted or altered. Using protocols such as HTTPS encrypts data in transport so they cannot be eavesdropped upon. Protocols used for secure communication form a protected channel, ensuring that data exchanged between the app and servers is integrity-ensured and confidential.
Secure Storage
Data stored on the device or server must be protected. Encryption and access controls are used to prevent unauthorized users. Such a design protects sensitive information even when, for example, the device is lost, or someone attempts to access stored data without proper authorization.
Threat Monitoring and Logging
Threat monitoring is about actively looking for signs of security incidents. By recording information on events that take place within the app, logging can detect abnormal activities or identify security breaches. Proper monitoring and logging allow rapid responses to security incidents, reducing risks and improving overall security architecture.
User Privacy
Respecting privacy means informing users about how data is collected and transparently outlining how user data will be processed. It also means that only after receiving active consent from a specific user can we process their personal information (data) for any reason whatsoever, and no new regulations should lead to unexpected costs borne by our users. It is necessary to implement privacy controls and secure data handling practices to build users' trust and comply with privacy laws.
8Final Words
Mobile applications have covered all industries due to their incredible support for business operations. It is necessary to ensure app security because they contain official documentation and credentials like login and financial details. Mobile application security is challenging if not handled carefully while developing these apps. Some common threats while using mobile apps are malware Attacks, unsafe Third-Party APIs, and weak encryption. These threats can seriously affect companies' reputations and damage financial conditions if not properly handled. So, developers must ensure data encryption, regular updates, real-time monitoring, and strong authentication for data privacy.
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