For users, the use of a mobile device is much common. A small device with ample features can work like a genie and help the user to get any information with a few clicks. It helps to have quick chat, listen to music, share documents, and communicate with others in different ways. Hence the multiple utilities of this small device have made it more popular in the market and today there is almost no one who does not own a mobile phone.
Mobile security app helps to secure mobile devices apps from various digital frauds occurring in the form of malware, hacking and other manipulations with data. To safeguard digital integrity on mobile devices, mobile application security can be applied. Mobile applications play an important role and are a critical part of business, they rely entirely on mobile apps as they can connect with different users around the world. Applications have access to a large database, many of them include sensitive data that needs to be protected from unauthorized access. To protect the data accessible to apps, these apps must-have mobile application security.
Best Practices of Mobile App Security:
Mobile app security practices make certain that the app is free from risk and does not leak the personal information of the user. Before loading the app for the public, the developer should ensure that the required security checks are performed. The following methods help the developer to get confirmed that business apps are not prone to any illegal or unauthorized access.
Enhance Security of Data: To save users from getting trapped from hackers, data security guidelines and policies should be well established. This can be done with well-implemented data encryption. With this tool, the data is transferred between devices with firewalls and security tools whenever the need arises. One can easily refer to the guidelines that are issued for Android and iOS.
No saving of Passwords: Requests are made by any apps to their users to save passwords to prevent repeated login credentials. These passwords are reached by hackers to get access to personal information and data. Developers should not save passwords on their mobile devices. Rather should be saved on app servers, so that when a user faces any problem they can change by logging to the server from any device.
Enforcing Session Logout: Users often forget to logout from the website or app that is being used. If it is a payment or banking app it is certainly harmful. Therefore, payment apps or banking apps end the session automatically after a certain period or on every log out for the proper safety of the users. Developers should implement session logout for all business as well as consumer-centric apps.
Consultation with Security Experts: Companies definitely have an experienced internal security team but consulting an external point of view can always give a different perspective. Many security companies and apps are available that can help in considering and identifying the loopholes if any. Development teams should be encouraged by the companies to get their security features assessed by third-party service providers.
Application of Multi-Factor Authentication: Multi-Factor Authentication tool instills a secret code that has to be entered by the users along with the password at the time of logging into a device or app. The code is sent to the user through SMS, email, biometric method, or Google authenticator. This tool adds extra security to the user of the app. It also takes care of weak passwords that can be guessed easily by hackers and hamper the security of the app.
Tests Regarding Penetration: Penetration testing is done to find out loopholes in an app. This tool checks the weak password policy, unencrypted data, permissions to third-party apps, no password expiry protocol, etc. The tool aims to find out potential risks and weaknesses that the attacker can use from hacking the app. For keeping the app secure it is recommended that penetration testing should be done regularly. Other penetration testing measures include White box testing and black box testing undertaken to check security issues.
Avoid using Personal Device: To cut down the overhead cost of buying a system, employees of the company are asked to bring their own laptops or smart devices for development. This opens the network to various infections that are assembled on the device of employees. In this manner, the virus is transferred from one device to another. To prevent such exercise security policies should be implemented in such places. Every device should be properly scanned by the firewall, antivirus, and anti-spam software, then only should be allowed to connect.
Restrict Use of Privilege: If the user is given more privileges it gets a lot of chances to hamper the security of the app. The hacker if attacks the user with a number of privileges then the loss and damage to the app are unimaginable. The app should also try to keep the privileges at minimum for its safety.
Apps should be tested Periodically: Periodic testing of apps should be done as a new threat emerges almost every day. Securing a mobile app is not just a single time process; it needs to be done within a short interval of time. A new type of threat emerges each day and securing the app at regular intervals becomes mandatory to save the app from any damage.
Encrypt Cache: The data of the user is saved temporarily on their device by a software component by the name of Cache. With its use data retrieval is prevented from a delay. The data stored in the Cache can be easily hacked if it is not encrypted. It happens that the app does not remove data after the end of the session and the cache does not expire. If the cache files are accessible to hackers they can manipulate the data or the server.
The businesses should identify the threat to mobile apps and also understand the importance of mobile app security as it affects the reputation of the brand. Users prefer apps that have implemented mobile application security so that their personal information and data are secured.
