2013 was the year of massive increase in mobile malware. Cisco has reported that 99% of total mobile malware targeted android devices in 2013. The problem still continues and growing more in 2014 also. Internet of Things (IoT) is planning to make our life easier with apps for daily lives, utilities, home appliances, businesses, etc. Due to which hacking and malicious code become more vulnerable.
Looking at this, here we have suggested some security steps for an app development company to keep their apps safe aside from hackers.
Before you come to know about how to secure apps, you have to get aware of how hackers enter into the app.
=> How Hackers Break the Doors of App
Mostly, malware authors use reverse engineering technique to get the access to the source code of app and to make the easy way of entrance towards the app. It means developers have to find a way through which they can secure the code of app in such a manner that it will remain hidden from hackers. If it is impossible, try at least for some important parts of app code.
=> What Developers Should Do to Secure the App Code?
Many apps need user’s personal information to let them get access like name, number, address, credit card/debit card details, etc. Hackers hack the app to get all such information. If your app also needs user information, you have to take necessary steps to secure it.
For information storage, there are three options:
=> Internal and External Storage
External storage refers to SD cards and internal storage is the storage within internal memory (excluding SD cards). As you know, SD cards are easily readable and writable as well, so never plan to store the user’s information to it. Rather than this, create and save files within the internal device storage and make sure that files are accessible only to your app.
=> Content Providers
Content providers are the standard interface, connecting data from one process to another running process. They also manage data access.
Android has four types of built in Content Providers:
Developers must develop content providers in four situations given below:
=> Permissions for Additional App Access
If your app gives access to other apps, make sure the permission is given at the minimal stage to ensure that the app is free from any kind of vulnerability.
=> OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project)
OWASP is a mobile security project, offers essential resources to developers and security professionals so that they can build utmost secure mobile apps.
OWASP helps developers to understand, identify and fix the web security flaws as far as possible. It consists of a detailed and prescriptive concept, the developers actually seeking for. For those who are unknown to app security world, it offers software security training.
=> Security Checklist
To ensure your app a secure one, confirm the following checklist:
Related: A Pre-Launch Testing Checklist for Your App
Looking at this, here we have suggested some security steps for an app development company to keep their apps safe aside from hackers.
Before you come to know about how to secure apps, you have to get aware of how hackers enter into the app.
=> How Hackers Break the Doors of App
Mostly, malware authors use reverse engineering technique to get the access to the source code of app and to make the easy way of entrance towards the app. It means developers have to find a way through which they can secure the code of app in such a manner that it will remain hidden from hackers. If it is impossible, try at least for some important parts of app code.
=> What Developers Should Do to Secure the App Code?
- Secure sensitive or most important data, both on device and on server as well
- Manage authentication and sessions perfectly
- Use encryption tools while coding
- Never let the information get leaked at any cost
- Integrate complications with reverse engineering
Many apps need user’s personal information to let them get access like name, number, address, credit card/debit card details, etc. Hackers hack the app to get all such information. If your app also needs user information, you have to take necessary steps to secure it.
For information storage, there are three options:
- Internal Storage
- External Storage
- Content Provider
=> Internal and External Storage
External storage refers to SD cards and internal storage is the storage within internal memory (excluding SD cards). As you know, SD cards are easily readable and writable as well, so never plan to store the user’s information to it. Rather than this, create and save files within the internal device storage and make sure that files are accessible only to your app.
=> Content Providers
Content providers are the standard interface, connecting data from one process to another running process. They also manage data access.
Android has four types of built in Content Providers:
- Audio
- Video
- Images
- Contact Information
Developers must develop content providers in four situations given below:
- If your app shares any data with other apps
- If your app provides custom search suggestions
- If you want to copy paste data from your app to another one
=> Permissions for Additional App Access
If your app gives access to other apps, make sure the permission is given at the minimal stage to ensure that the app is free from any kind of vulnerability.
=> OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project)
OWASP is a mobile security project, offers essential resources to developers and security professionals so that they can build utmost secure mobile apps.
OWASP helps developers to understand, identify and fix the web security flaws as far as possible. It consists of a detailed and prescriptive concept, the developers actually seeking for. For those who are unknown to app security world, it offers software security training.
=> Security Checklist
To ensure your app a secure one, confirm the following checklist:
- Confirm the authenticity before you trust on clients at server side
- Use encryption at maximum places
- Integrate expire sessions when users remain inactive for quite a long time
- Never allow access to repeated or modified requests
Related: A Pre-Launch Testing Checklist for Your App