Securing your Mobile Applications: Best Practices Guide

A Multi Layered Approach to Securing your Mobile Application.

In today’s environment, every company needs to keep security in the front of their mind when building mobile applications no matter what company or industry they are being built for.  

Here’s how web build and ensure your mobile apps are secure:

1. Application Security Testing

Application security testing needs to be conducted continuously if it is to be effective. 

For some context, application security testing for mobile apps is about testing apps for any flaws before they are rolled out. The idea is to release an app that’s secure to use. 

However, according to a study of 600 IT Security Professionals from the Ponemon Institute, businesses prioritize speed over mobile app security, and only 20% of the respondents were confident about detecting application vulnerabilities when released. 

2. Balance Security and Speed 

Companies are constantly adding new features to their apps at a fast pace. The consequence is that security may become secondary.  In fact, many companies never adequately test their apps security as it’s considered a burden on their budgets. 

To balance security and speed, app development we leverage mobile app security testing tools and best practices to mitigate the risks associated with unprotected mobile apps. 

3. Source Code Security  

The source code comprises all the APIs, OAuth tokens, passwords, and PII (personally identifiable information) that must be kept secret from prying eyes.   

If the source code is not kept secure, hackers can copy, clone, and even disseminate the information. 

We help secure the source code by laying down rules for handling and protecting code. Moreover, you can use Static Application Security Testing (SAST) to find security flaws and also encrypt data that is in transit and at rest. Also, implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions for endpoint security.  

4. Data Encryption

Data encryption is crucial for mobile app security. It converts data into code to prevent unauthorized access. All sensitive data that are at rest and in transit should be encrypted. The data might include the user’s device data – personal information, bank details – business data, and other confidential information.  

5. Update Operating Systems

To combat new mobile threats, We’ll work with you in a support and maintenance capacity to ensure that your software is updated continually with the latest versions of iOS and Android.

These updates come with security patches that help seal the security gaps and protect sensitive data. 

6.  Include User Authentication

While it may not be required for all applications, having login credentials in your apps offers an additional layer of security to users. It prevents unauthorized access to user’s payment information, such as billing addresses and other confidential data.  

You can further cement this security layer with multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, 2FA, and more. 

Three popular methods include:

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):

This authentication method requires users to provide two or more verification methods to log in. One method could be passwords, the second could be security tokens or code, and the third could be fingerprints. Even if a password is compromised, the attacker won’t be able to access data unless he provides a second or third verification factor to gain access, making it harder for hackers to enter the system. 

Single Sign-On (SSO):

With SSO, users log in to multiple but related applications and services just once, using one set of credentials. By restricting the number of times users can log in, SSO minimizes the risk of using weak or repeated passwords across different services. 

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 

As part of MFA in 2FA, you may need your password and a phone or email ID where the one-time code could be sent. So, even if the password is stolen, the attacker will need the code sent on the phone or email ID to hack the system.  

Applications can use these authentication measures to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and protect users’ sensitive data, such as personal and financial details. 

7. Avoid Third-Party Code

We ensure your code is secure by writing your apps code as custom. All apps use similar code from standard code libraries, regardless of which app store they belong to. Knowing that most of the code looks alike, some developers tend to lift/steal codes from third-party sources.   

8. Store Limited Data on the Device

Keeping limited data on the user’s device prevents data theft if the device is stolen or compromised. 

We enforce data retention limits as appropriate to each apps requirements and functions and specifications ensure users store sensitive data on servers rather than in local storage. 

9. Ensure Regular Security Testing

We offer custom fit support and maintenance packages that include regular testing as a crucial part of your mobile app security strategy. We test your application for vulnerabilities and fix them beforehand before it goes out of hand.   

10. App Shielding

As the name implies, app shielding protects Android and iOS mobile apps from tampering and reverse-engineering attempts, among many other attacks. Through code obfuscation it makes it hard for the attackers to understand the application’s logic, thwarting their attempts to inject malware.  

We practice app shielding via runtime application self-protection (RASP). RASP keeps a constant watch on the applications’ inputs and outputs, thereby assisting developers in tracking vulnerabilities. More importantly, RASP applications are good at thwarting vulnerabilities already deployed.

11.  Install Tamper Detection Mechanisms 

We implementing tamper detection mechanisms right from the start can to help prevent attacks. These mechanisms can easily detect if code has been tampered with, and an appropriate response can be figured out immediately, such as the app not starting up, completely wiping off or hiding sensitive data, or even notifying administrators about the tamper.    

12. Backup Your Data 

We ensure appropriate data back ups are executed often and continually, making it easier to recover lost data quickly. .

13. API Security 

APIs are your application’s cornerstones, meaning they need to be secure. We leverage API gateways with key features that prevent DoS and injection attacks to ensure that your APIs are insulated from malicious attacks and malware.

14. Pentesting 

Pentesting, or penetration testing, involves conducting simulation attacks against your app to identify weak spots. We conduct these tests with our own team by attacking the app as if we were hackers ourselves trying to break through security barriers. We then address and resolve any issues found.

15. Code Obfuscation 

Obfuscation is another word for complexity. So, code obfuscation means making the code so complex and difficult that hackers won’t understand it.

Code logic is generally obfuscated to protect intellectual property or trade secrets and to thwart an attacker from reverse engineering a software program.  

In these instances we encrypt some or all of the mobile code, strip off the revealing metadata, or add meaningless code to an app script.

Wrapping Up 

Despite the significant threat issues crowding the mobile app landscape, companies tend to have the wrong notion that their apps are secure. 

A multi-layered approach requires continuous security testing, strong encryption, continual updates, and robust authentication methods to mitigate data theft, IP theft, reputational damage, and more risks. Businesses must prioritize mobile app security throughout the development lifecycle to avoid costly correction measures later.

We at Dot Com Development understand the importance of app and data security and that’s why we ensure multi layered security best practices when building custom solutions for our customers.

If you’d like to know more about how we can harden your new or existing application schedule a call with us today.