Four methods to improve the security of a mobile app

The Technological advances occur so quickly We hardly have time to keep up with the latest trends. We are so used to this saturation, given the number of new releases, that it is difficult to surprise us or get us interested in everything. However, the constant launch of new products, platforms and concepts creates a series of possibilities and needs that had not existed until now. Who would have thought a few years ago that we would be connected to the Internet? Internet via mobile phonesNot to mention the change in their primary function, which has gone from being simple devices for making calls to small information centres that fit in our pockets. All companies, services and hobbies have adapted to this mobile trend and they We trust you with our data and personal informationHave you ever wondered whether these mobile apps are safe or protected from potential attacks? Pay attention to the following data:

• 100% of the paid apps in the Top 100 on Google Play have been hacked.
• 56% of the paid apps in the App Store Top 100 have been hacked.
• 73% of the most popular free apps on Android have been hacked.
• 53% of the most popular free apps on iOS have been hacked.

Mobile Malware is a Danger for Business

The growing trend towards “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) programs:Bring Your Own Device”) and the use of Mobile Internet for connections, services and other corporate assets, increases the risk of your business being affected by some type of threat. Such risks can be executed by users who download an application – often from alternative stores – and install it on their devices where they also store corporate data. Some of these malicious apps pretend to be a file player or an optimization tool for your phone but They access it like a Trojan Horse to steal your information. Almost all users use the same device for personal and professional use.

Four ways to protect mobile applications

Therefore, in order to reduce exposure to risk, we need to create, develop and run secure mobile applications. Let's explore some ways to achieve this:

Consider the most important factors for security: Protected mobile application development

When a system is considered secure, the user will be more satisfied to use it, especially if you know that your data will remain confidential. Lack of security can lead to severe complications that could make your business unviable, causing commercial damage, generating financial losses or causing lawsuits that could tarnish the reputation of the organization. Companies should employ tools that help app developers to detect and close security vulnerabilities. Some aspects to keep in mind to protect app stores:

• Command injection
• Cross-site scripting
• Safe communication
• Encrypted information
• Error messages

 Detecting vulnerabilities in runtime environments

The protection of an application also relies on the security of the device. Some rooted smartphones, with jailbreak or foreign applications could pose a risk to some corporate apps. It is necessary to measure the security of the devices by checking if the mobile toolbox is intact, removing access in the event of rooting or jailbreak, limiting the permissions of the mobile application -which must be accepted by the user-. As the person responsible for the app, you will be able to limit access to devices potentially affected by malware or malicious applications that could perform fraudulent activities.

Prevent data theft or leakage

Mobile apps can access company data and documents stored on mobile devices, so the risks of data loss increase when data is shared with external apps. When protecting a mobile device, we should also consider protecting sensitive data and look at the internal security policies of the different apps. If we handle confidential data, it is necessary to maintain a security program, using a secure connection via Anti-Malware and Firewalls applied to the different access gateways such as e-mail or web. It is important to remember that despite the use of the most advanced protection and the best tools to protect against data loss, users will need some training, as not all risks are carried out through software. After all, One of the most effective methods to access a connection is through “social engineering”, which occurs when someone deceives or plays with the trust of their victim to gain access to sensitive systems or information.

Controlling the execution of high-risk mobile transactions

When a customer needs access to specific products or services through your mobile platform or when your employees need to use their personal devices to access corporate applications anytime, anywhere, mobile security solutions need to be strengthened. Device-level protection is no longer enough to protect relationships. company-user, as the privacy of consumers and employees must also be preserved. Organizations must adapt the approach to the way these transactions are executed to limit possible risk factors such as those related to device security attributes, user location or connection. In this sense, the company must have precise and flexible control, maintaining user privacy and taking responsibility for reducing all possible risks. In the era of BYOD, the challenge for the technology industry must include safeguarding user privacy while providing the features of its product that is used every day by a growing user base.