The rapid use of mobile applications is increasing exponentially every day. Today, there are more Internet-connected mobile devices on the planet than individuals. Thanks to the mobile app, everything from table booking to anyone does payments online.
Mobile search outperforms searches performed on desktop or laptop computers due to the growing number of users around the world. As a result of this expansion, the need for mobile app development is increasing. Mobile applications are already an important part of the daily life of mobile users because of their simplicity and convenience.
Many elements have been incorporated into app development by every mobile app development company, and in a world where hacking, privacy breaches, and cybercrime are more prevalent than ever, security must be a top priority when starting a new project. Many attacks have been launched against some of today’s most popular applications, such as completing financial transactions, uploading sensitive data, and applications used to link personal information.
1)Â Â Â Assimilate The Security Team From The Beginning
From the moment the development team sits together, security needs to be part of the mobile application development process.
Always consult your security team to address any potential concerns before making any changes or major customizations.
2)Â Â Â Write Secure Code
Code errors and vulnerabilities are the starting point for most attackers to break into your application. They try to reverse engineer and manipulate your code, and they only need a public copy of your app. Studies show that malicious code constantly affects more than 11.6 million mobile devices.
From day one, keep code security in mind and make it harder to crack. Obfuscate and shrink the code to prevent reverse engineering. Test repeatedly and fix any bugs found. Easily update and patch code. Try to maintain code agility so that you can update after a user violation.
3)Â Â Â Use High-Level Authentication
Given that some of the biggest security breaches result from weak authentication, it is becoming increasingly important to use stronger authentication. Authentication refers to passwords and other personal identifiers that act as barriers to entry. Most of this depends on the end-user of the application, but as a developer, you can encourage users to be more sensitive to authentication.
You can design your app to accept only strong alphanumerical passwords that you need update every 3 or 6 months. Multi-factor authentication, including a combination of static passwords and dynamic OTP, is gaining attention. Biometrics such as retinal scans and fingerprints you can also use for sensitive apps.
4)Â Â Â Secure Backend API
Many backend APIs believe that only apps designed to use them can use them. The statement, on the other hand, is quite different. The backend server should have security measures in place to protect it from malicious attacks.
Therefore, the transport protocol and API authentication can be different, so make sure that all APIs are validated against the mobile platform you are creating.
5)Â Â Â Use The Best Cryptography Techniques
Key management is important to the success of cryptographic efforts. Don’t hard-code the key, as it’s easy for an attacker to steal the key. Store the key in a secure container and do not store it locally on your device. Some widely accepted cryptographic protocols, such as MD5 and SHA1, have proven to be inadequate for modern security standards. 256-bit AES encryption with SHA256 for B. Hash sticking to the latest and most reliable APIs such as 256-bit AES encryption.
6)Â Â Â Utilize The Principle Of Least Privilege
The principle of least privilege tells you to run your code only with the privileges you need and not to run any more. The app should not request more than the minimum permissions required for its function. If you do not need access to your contacts, do not request. Do not make unnecessary network connections. The list continues and depends heavily on the details of the app. Therefore, perform continuous threat modelling as you update your code
7)Â Â Â Minimize Data Storage
Whenever possible, avoid storing sensitive user data on your device or server. This is because storing user data unnecessarily increases risk. If you need to keep your data because there is no other way, use an encrypted data container or keychain and use cookies to store your password.
Finally, To let them to be automatically deleted after a period of time, You can reduce your reliance on logs.
8)Â Â Â Providing proper session processing
Mobile “sessions” last much longer than desktops. This complicates server session processing. Use tokens instead of device identifiers to identify sessions. You can revoke the tokens at any time, making them more secure in the event of a lost or steal device. Enables remote wipe of data from lost/stolen devices and also enables remote logout.
9)Â Â Â Think Like An Attacker On A Mobile Application
When writing code, think of yourself as an attacker. Can you abuse? It may look like a minor bug, but it could be a vulnerability that hackers can exploit to attack your application.
Part of the code review needs to be spent looking for a way to break the app. It’s not just about testing obvious problems. The likelihood of a particular attack is very low, so everything should be tested and considered. This is especially true for mobile devices that are exposed to the effects of different environments.
10) Test Repeatedly
App protection is a never-ending process. New threats are emerging and necessary the new solutions. Invest in penetration testing, threat modelling, and emulators to continuously test your app for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many steps you can take to improve the security of your mobile app. Please be sure to execute it. Protecting your mobile app at every stage of development protects your user and your app’s reputation. It also helps maintain your reputation as a mobile app developer which will enable you to provide top of the line application development services.