App security is neither a feature nor a benefit that you add to your mobile app. If you’re a mobile app development company, you must protect user data – end of the story. There are no ifs and buts to it, and there’s no compromise if you want to make sure customers trust your brand. Whether it’s for iOS, Android, or any other mobile OS, it’s crucial to cover the vulnerabilities of your app. You would want to prevent a massive hack that can result in loss of customers and profit.
Here’s how you can protect user data on your mobile app and how you can do it.
1. Secure your code
There are many vulnerabilities in mobile apps, and most of those come from insecure code. These issues with hacks usually come from details left in the code, likely from either cut features or dirty code that contains a lot of conflicting programming styles. When releasing a mobile app, it’s crucial to use secure, tight, and adequately vetted code. Bugs and vulnerabilities are the most usual starting points for attackers to hack or pirate your app.
They will likely go to lengths to try to reverse engineer how your code works and use it to their advantage. Start with proper code formatting, using adequate indentation, and the acceptable number of arguments in your functions. Follow coding best practices, including meaningful naming conventions, smaller classes, and a straightforward approach to functions. Follow the rules of the language you are using, whether Python or Java.
2. Use multi-factor authentication
People choose a trusted mobile app developer who not only has a good, functional app but a secure one too. If you’re looking to secure your mobile app, primarily if it uses payment processors, the best way to do it is to enforce a strong authentication. Different mobile apps use various authentication processes to enforce secure logins and transmit data without hackers sniffing information.
Multi-factor authentication is a must, mainly if the app stores customer financial data and identification. Incorporate at least two-factor authentication for your app that can be set to confirm the user’s identity periodically. Passwords are ok, but fingerprint authentication can be helpful too. Combining it with the device ID, client certificates, and OTP can help you reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
As for data transmission, it’s best to add a secure encryption layer on customer data. Most mobile phones keep customer information away from apps, storing them inside Secure Enclave for iOS and TrustZone/Knox for Android OS brands. Make sure to keep zero financial information client-side to prevent data sniffing.
3. Encrypt your app and data
Mobile devices are open to various threats, with issues like man-in-the-middle attacks that unravel vulnerabilities in WiFi and mobile networks. We brushed on the need for encryption, but it’s also crucial for mobile apps to transmit their data in encrypted networks. Ensure that you encrypt your mobile apps and servers with the proper protection layers. You want a minimum of SSL and TLS encryption, with several levels of cryptographic complexity.
Most companies choose either RSA-4096 encryption or AES-256, offering high-quality cryptographic protection. An SHA-3 standard can prevent many attacks that can start at root-level access for passwords and embedded systems. This will scramble the data within your database, with only one way to decrypt customer information from your side.
4. Be well-informed of current mobile vulnerabilities
Android and iOS have their own vulnerabilities, and there’s never a time where people don’t find exploits on them. Vulnerabilities such as Stagefright, XcodeGhost, ForcedEntry, and even the basic Trojan can still get themselves into your mobile device. If you’re a mobile developer, it’s crucial to keep yourself updated with the latest security threats and ensure your app offers consistent protection.
It’s vital to work your app with the mobile operating systems’ patch updates and bug fixes to prevent untoward issues. Sweep your mobile app for potential coding issues that can be exploited through these mobile vulnerabilities. Update your code immediately, especially if you find possible connections between OS vulnerabilities and your mobile app.
5. Beware of third-party libraries
Third-party libraries are easy to use and can give developers a much easier time without building them yourself. There are also tons of free libraries on repositories like Github that simplify how you call certain functions. Be wary of such libraries as you’re opening your app to potential security flaws. Double your care when it comes to third-party libraries. Test the code thoroughly before using it in your app and look at different iterations of the library.
Even many of the biggest coding libraries have security flaws once they are properly reviewed, or a new issue comes up. Use several controller internal repositories and even policy controls to protect your apps from potential vulnerabilities within these libraries. These policies will help segregate the data layer from libraries that can try to access and exploit these risks.
6. Control data sharing between apps
There’s an enormous potential for data sniffing for developers looking to share data between two or more apps within their family. The data transit can be problematic, especially if hackers reverse engineer how you do it and they see that it is left unsecured. When sharing data between apps you control, signature-based permissions can help prevent unnecessary meddling. These permissions don’t need user intervention, keeping the functionality of the apps. They instead check that the apps accessing the data carry the same app signature and signing key.
Signature-based permissions allow for streamlined data exchange and a secure user experience. It prevents the user’s need to hand over access to dangerous permissions, which can unravel the app to issues. Suppose you’re looking to enforce better, more secure communications. In that case, you can add several functions like explicitly showing an app chooser and requesting security credentials before other apps can access sensitive information.
Bottom line
Securing your mobile app is a matter of following best practices to prevent vulnerabilities and exploits from affecting your app functions. Start with a robust, secure code that follows professional coding practices and explicit function calls. Use encryption to your advantage, primarily if you handle sensitive information. Follow the steps on this guide, and you’ll indeed have a trusted, secure mobile app regardless of whether you’re on iOS or Android. Perform QA and QC as needed and be proactive with protecting your mobile app from any potential threats.
