Learn what mobile application security is and the most common mobile app vulnerabilities.
Mobile App Security Definition Mobile App Security Definition The Need for Mobile App Security Common Vulnerabilites 7 Ways to Boost Mobie App SecuityMobile application security refers to the technologies and security procedures that protect mobile applications against cyberattacks and data theft. An all-in-one mobile app security framework automates mobile application security testing on platforms like iOS, Android, and others.
Mobile device usage has been steadily increasing in recent years. Recent statistics note that about 90% of the global internet population uses a mobile device to go online. For hackers, this means more people to victimize, making endpoint security for mobile devices increasingly vital.
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Download NowMobile app security can guard against a variety of harmful consequences, including:
Losing sensitive data, such as client information and login passwords, typically stem from inadequate mobile app security, which hackers leverage to obtain access to sensitive information.
Mobile banking applications may contain customer financial information, including credit and debit card details. If a hacker successfully hijacks a banking app, they may also take control of the user's phone and perform a transaction without the victim's knowledge.
Without adequate mobile app security, copyrights, patents, and other forms of intellectual property can fall into malicious hands. For example, every mobile application is built on a foundational piece of code. To develop copies of popular apps, which are intended to deceive users into downloading a fake version of the real software, hackers will attempt to steal the source codes. On mobile devices, these fake apps can be used to spread malware.
Security flaws in a mobile application can put a company's reputation at risk. User data being made public will destroy customers' faith in the app developer and damage the brand’s reputation.
Mobile applications constantly face a barrage of threats because of the following:
Applications are downloaded via a mobile app platform, such as the Apple Store and Google Play Store. These platforms provide rules for secure application development, such as keychains and platform permissions. Hackers can take advantage of these platforms' communication systems to intercept information being transferred from the platform to a mobile application.
Data stored without the right safeguards poses a significant risk. An attack on the mobile device's operating system, jailbroken devices, and vulnerabilities in the application’s data maintenance framework present critical security issues. As a result, apps can be hacked, enabling thieves to steal the data they contain.
Mobile applications transfer data using the standard client-server approach, which involves the device’s carrier network, such as AT&T, and the internet. Hackers use communication security weaknesses to obtain access to private data. For example, an unprotected Wi-Fi network can be exploited via routers or proxy servers.
A skilled hacker can bypass standard identification processes and access information using a bogus identity. Online authentication procedures are not often required for mobile apps, making them more vulnerable than standard web applications.
Data encryption and decryption are necessary to send and receive data securely. But security can be jeopardized by subpar data encryption technology, which hackers can leverage to manipulate, steal, or alter the original data.
While there are several ways to hack mobile applications, here are some of the most common vulnerabilities:
Because the server stores and processes all the data necessary for the application to function—such as authentication data, business data, financial or transactional data, and personal data—most communication between an application and a user takes place via the server. Therefore, vulnerabilities in the server will put the security of the application in danger.
A mobile application can store different kinds of data—such as cookies, text files, and device settings—using various storage media, including a Structured Query Language (SQL) database, information property list (.plist) file, data warehouse, Secure Digital (SD) card, or Extensible Markup Language (XML) file. To ensure the privacy of the sensitive data the application uses, encryption should be effective.
As mentioned above, many mobile applications rely on communication with servers to function. An application delivers or receives many kinds of data, such as user session data, login credentials, financial data, and personal data, depending on the needs of the business.
Client-server communication uses Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), but because this protocol lacks internal security measures, communications can be intercepted, altered, or diverted.
Using the following seven mobile app security best practices can significantly boost the security of mobile apps:
Stronger mobile app access controls must incorporate additional ways of verifying users’ identities. Look for an authentication server solution that supports different ways of deploying two-factor authentication (2FA) and password protection. Your authentication procedures can be based on:
The software supply chain for mobile applications includes components provided by third parties. When choosing libraries and frameworks for mobile apps, developers have to be careful. You want respected, well-maintained, open-source projects.
Data security includes making sure data cannot be read by anyone who intercepts it. Encryption transforms data into an unreadable format that threat actors cannot exploit, so make it a core component of any mobile apps security system.
Ineffective session management can seriously compromise security in applications that hold sensitive information, such as online banking apps. As such, set session timeouts to one hour for low-security applications and 15 minutes for high-risk ones. Also, use industry-standard technologies for issuing security tokens and ensuring sessions are terminated when a different user logs in, for example.
Sensitive user data is unnecessarily exposed when an app demands more permissions than needed, significantly increasing the mobile application's attack surface. Developers should approach permissions more carefully, making sure only those needing access to perform their jobs get authorization.
One way to modify your testing strategy is by switching from periodic tests to a continuous testing methodology. This means developers will conduct tests on an ongoing basis instead of at specific intervals. To do this, use automated testing and threat modeling to constantly scan for flaws that can put your app's users at risk of a cyberattack.
App shielding is designed to safeguard Android and iOS mobile apps from tampering, reverse-engineering, and other types of attacks. It protects the data inside apps by separating the application’s data from the runtime environment, making it a valuable tool during a mobile app security test, either before or after an app has been deployed.
A common method of app shielding is runtime application self-protection (RASP). RASP keeps an eye on the application's internal state, inputs, and outputs, enabling developers to identify vulnerabilities in their apps during mobile application security testing. RASP technology can also thwart attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in applications that are already deployed.