Here is a quick Checklist for Securing Mobile App Development
As we all know by now that mobile application is the one of the fastest evolving categories of mobility market today. It’s attracting the great attention of consumers. According to a report, mobile users spent 64 percent of their mobile phone time on mobile apps. The increasing demand of mobile apps is compelling businesses to build their own business apps under business marketing strategy.
Well, with the rise of mobile application trend, the issues about mobile app security have also gone a level up. Businesses cannot ignore the risk linked with the mobile app development initiatives. These risks and vulnerabilities in a mobile app can negatively impact mobile app users, business partners, and employees.
On the same note, find if your organization needs a mobile app or website.
App security should become developer’s first priority, it’s imperative for them to safeguard users’ interest. To shrink the risk right through developing mobile app development, developers should check below these security issues.
Don’t Completely Trust Built-In Platform Security
If you think you can choose to ignore mobile app security because you can rely on the native app development platforms fully. You are mistaken. As a developer, you may have the fact that iOS is a closed system, hence, it’s automatically secured, but it’s not true. iOS isn’t immune to mobile threats & attacks, the Apple system can’t shield all malicious activities. There have been a handful of scenarios, which confirm the existence of vulnerabilities in the iOS system.
As far as Android is concerned, it gives more liberty to app developers. If a developer is developing on programming language C++, it becomes difficult for a hacker to phish existing codes. On the contrary, when they use Java in sensitive fragments of code within the apps, this works as a helping hand for cyber criminals to hack and insert their own malicious codes with relative ease.
Did you see: Google is looking to kill Chrome OS?
Be it Android, iOS or any mobile OS platform, all of them have various limitations and – which all means developers can’t completely depend on inbuilt security by platforms.
Code from Other Developers
Using existing codes to build mobile applications can bring in the greatest threat to the mobile app securities. There are many app development forums for developers to seek assistance and hone skills. And developers most of the times pick and choose plug-ins and a basic section from these shared resources. The reason why developers take a shortcut is very simple, creating an app and developing codes from the beginning is a long-drawn-out process. To save on time and efforts, developers use the existing code available online without checking the authenticity.
Hackers purposely place their malicious codes and these practices are widely held in hacking or cracking to get information and unauthorized access to the app data as soon as it is released. To prevent adding malicious code, developers must read the code carefully; check for doubtful entries and authenticating them with trusted references.
Data Caching Vulnerabilities
Mobile devices store temporary information to provide faster caching to increase speed than standard laptops and desktops. Data caching makes mobile devices more vulnerable to security because hackers can easily retrieve cached information. There is a simple and easy way to protect the mobile app data, add a password protection to use an app. Further, you can program the cache to automatically erase the cache whenever the mobile device restarts.
Security Testing
Never release a mobile app until it’s precisely tested because no app is safe from the attacks of viruses and malware. As the app developers, you need to test every inlet including, sensors, camera, GPS, the platform itself and more. Make sure throughout testing, you should never allow users to see crash and debug logs. Restrict users to access these logs because this will prevent the chances of hackers’ to attack.
Weak Encryption (or none at all)
Nowadays, with the evolving technology, encryption algorithms become obsolete and easier to hack. As an app developer, it’s your responsibility to protect apps security. There are many mobile applications that require device users to put sensitive and confidential information such as credit card details, SSN or personal identification particulars. If there is no or a weak encryption, the information can be hacked and put your app’s users at complete risk. Therefore, make sure you put in good encryption and bring your app to the top position.
How about reading 5 trends in Mobile app development.
With the incorporation of above mentioned few development strategies and by implementing comprehensive ways, secure communications to servers, patching apps, and planning for physical security breaches you can effectively develop and secure your mobile app.