10 Security Issues App Developers Need to Know While Developing a Mobile App

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

A common misconception states data breaches along with security issues are only for big companies. The truth is, small industries are likewise vulnerable to these problems. According to a survey, 43% of online attacks are for small companies. And, smartphones and web apps see no escape. All the web apps tests showcased one susceptibility, with an average almost rising to 15 in 2017.

This means big or small companies; all of them are at greater risks. It makes mobile app security all the most essential. The safety steps should be kept in mind at all stages of the development and even during the post-developmental stages.

Here Are the Top 10 Mobile App Security Problems App Developers Face When Developing a Mobile App.

Steps to Develop a Safe Mobile App

1. Ensure the Coding Is Safe

If the code has bugs or susceptibilities, the attackers can easily break into your app. A fragile code opens doors for a data breach. But how is it done?

Well, cybercriminals reverse the code, interrupt and break inside the app. They can do it without enhanced tools with the app’s public copy.

As per IBM research, infected code affects around 11.6 million devices at a time. Hence, it is important to secure the code when commencing app development. Furthermore, one can complicate and minify the code to prohibit reverse engineering.

Test the app several times to look for bugs and fix them when unprotected. Code designing is equally essential. Hence, make sure your design is simple to update. Keep your code agile so that it can be updated easily. It would help if you also kept in mind code hardening and signing.

When speaking of code signing, it is signing and encrypting your code with a code signing certificate. It encrypts the code and prevents any malicious party from spoofing your application. When you publish the developer’s name, it means it is an authentic app and hasn’t been tampered with. You can also use a cost-effective cheap code signing certificate and get all the benefits. Surely, it is worth the investment.

EV Code signing certificates offer benefits like:

• Power to bypass the Microsoft Smart Screen filter.
• Avoiding harsh vetting by the CA
• Better compatibility across all platforms
• Higher safety to prevent the illegal use of your virtual certificate
• Inform the user about any unauthorized changes

Wondering which EV code signing certificates will be the best for your mobile app? Well, you could consider investing in the highly trusted and reliable Comodo EV Code Signing Certificate or the RapidSSL EV Code Signing Certificate.

2. Encrypt Your Data

Keep your app data encrypted to safeguard it. Encryption means transferring files in a gibberish form so that it doesn’t mean anything to anyone who tries to access it without the key.

So, in case your information is taken, the hacker will fail to access it. Even the FBI seeks consent for iPhones to decrypt the messages.

Hence, during app development, always encrypt all your information transferred in the app.

3. Use Libraries Carefully

You will need external libraries to build your mobile app code. Sometimes, these libraries may not be safe. The safety issues can give an attacker a chance to inject bad code into your app. So, when using libraries while developing an app, test app code!

Developers can use process controls and controlled repositories to safeguard applications from library susceptibilities.

SEE ALSO: Flutter Developer Salaries: A Brief Guide for Employers

4. Using Authentic APIs

Imperfectly coded and unauthentic APIs can give hackers a chance. For example, authorization data caches are used by cybercriminals to acquire authentication on the system. Hence, it would help if you only used a genuine API during app coding.

Professionals suggest using centralized approval for the full API to get the highest safety in developing a mobile app.

5. Use Top-Standard Authentication

Most security breaches take place due to poor authentication. It means you should enhance your authentication strength. Authentication means passcodes and other identifications that function as entry barriers. While the major part depends on the application’s user, you should take steps for better authentication as an app developer.

Develop the application so that it takes alphanumeric passcodes that have to be changed every 6 months. Add MFA that includes a password along with a one-time password.

If there is sensitive information, you can choose biometric authentication such as face scan, fingerprint scan, etc.

These authentications improve mobile app security and wipe out vulnerability risks in mobile applications.

6. Use Tamper-Detecting Methods

Tamper detecting methods warn the app developers if a cybercriminal changes the code by adding bad coding. You should keep a code change record of your app development so that the criminal doesn’t inject malicious code into the app.

You can position an activated tamper detection which ensures that coding fails to function if modified anywhere.

7. Offering the Lowest Privileges

The lowest privilege is a term meaning the code can be accessed to the permissions needed to run it. It means the app shouldn’t ask for privileges needed more than the smallest. For example, if the application doesn’t require contact access, it should never demand it.

8. Have Efficient Session Handling

Session management is an essential aspect of app development that needs more caution as the sessions on a mobile take more time than on a desktop.

Hence, session handling is done to maintain safety if the device is stolen or lost. The app should offer the service to distantly wipe out the log-off if the device is lost.

9. Use the Best Cryptography Equipment and Technology

Key management is essential when encrypting data, ensuring you don’t hardcore the encryption keys.

Use AES and SHA256 for encryption and don’t store keys on local systems. Use reliable encryption measures.

SEE ALSO: Use Encryption Software to Protect Confidential Data

10. Test as Much as Possible

Test your app repeatedly to check for bugs and other aspects. Update it with security trends for better protection.

Do penetration testing to know your mobile application vulnerabilities and test them again to reduce them.

Verdict

These are the measures that a mobile app developer should follow to adopt a safe and impenetrable app. Cybersecurity has become more important than ever, and hence, as an app developer, you should never ignore it.

In the coming time, security will be a big aspect for customers as it will help them maintain data privacy and more.