Top 8 Security Issues In Mobile App Development
Hordes of apps are released every day and most of them carry important user information. These applications are vulnerable to attacks by hackers who look for weaknesses in the applications, infiltrate them and phish user information or implant malware. Below we discuss top 8 security issues in mobile app development.
Security issues
Picking up codes written by hackers
Many hackers create codes in the hope that app developers will pick them up and use their idea. Many people don’t try to build apps from the ground up. Instead, they use simple frameworks and out-of-the-box codes to customize them into your own application. A mobile app development company should not trust these third-party codes without verification, especially if the app deals with sensitive user information.
Leaving cache unchecked
Mobile phones are known to be more susceptible to security breaches due to easy access to cached information. Develop an app that uses a smart cache cleaning cycle that works automatically or requires a password to use.
Does not perform thorough security testing
It is the responsibility of the app developer to undergo proper security testing and take appropriate measures to eliminate vulnerabilities. Many developers are careless and release their apps in beta modes that put users at risk. Not only does this affect customer data, but it also leads to negative brand publicity that will hurt your app. So, test the app properly, check every aspect including camera, GPS and sensors.
Weak or no encryption
Encryption algorithms are the first line of defense when it comes to blocking hackers from attacking users’ phones and even servers. However, remember that as technology evolves, these encryptions also need to be upgraded. There were applications that stored user information in plain language and were too easily hacked.
Lack of security on the server side
Many app developers can provide better security for their apps, but their server-side security is vulnerable to attack. Such carelessness can result in the loss of sensitive data such as credit card information, personally identifiable information, and more. If you are in the business of collecting large user data, get Secure Sockets Layer certified and avoid using low-level security encryption to prevent your analytics and advertising information from being leaked.
Slow upgrades and fixes
Once you launch the app, hackers will start working on exploiting your app’s weakness. Once they are discovered, it is imperative that you start plugging the holes and updating users with immediate patches to restore the functionality of the application and also the faith of users.
Device protection with EMM
An enterprise mobility management solution will work great to protect your device from jailbreaking or rooting. This avoids removing the built-in security that the mobile operating system offers to keep data safe for a long time. The use of EMM will also provide a way to authenticate users before running the application and can be used to apply various security policies to prevent data hacking.
No plan to prevent physical disturbance
A mobile app development company should think outside the digital realm. It is likely that the device was lost or stolen. Applications can be built to implement weekly or monthly session timeouts to wipe stored passwords from the device.
Conclusion
These were some of the best practices that a mobile app developer must follow to have a fully secure hard to crack app. Cyber security has proven its importance in recent years and clients are now interested in more secure applications that they can rely on.