To create a successful mobile app, you must adhere to security best practices. Attackers are constantly looking for new methods to exploit security vulnerabilities, and data breaches may have a severe impact on your customer experience, reputation, and financial line. By adhering to mobile app security best practices, you will be ready to develop a successful mobile app that protects both your users’ and the company’s data. Continue reading to learn the top 13 security best practices that developers can adopt to prevent security flaws and defend their mobile apps from security attacks. 

1. Protect your source code.

Whenever it concerns mobile app security, you must encrypt source code. This will assist to prevent attackers from accessing and altering your code, which might lead to reverse engineering attacks or security vulnerabilities. According to statistics from the industry, 82% of mobile app security flaws originate in the source code. By encrypting your source code, you may make it unreadable to attackers and avoid damaging security issues. It is also regarded as recommended practice for developers to sign their source code while developing mobile apps. 

2. Acquire a code-signing certificate.

In addition to encrypting your source code, you should authenticate its validity with a code-signing certificate. This allows you to digitally sign your code using a private key while also making a public key available for users to inspect. A code-signing certificate verifies that your mobile app is legitimate, originates from a reliable source, and has not been modified. Because malware may be disseminated by imitating genuine sources, this certificate reassures consumers about the legitimacy of a mobile app. However, code-signing certificates are only good for one to three years, so you should renew them on a regular basis.  

3. Integrate file-level and database encryption. 

Mobile apps frequently store unstructured data in the device’s local file system or database. Without encryption, attackers may get access to the sandbox environment, creating a serious security concern. Encrypting this data reduces your risk. Similarly, to prevent attackers from accessing critical information, you may encrypt mobile app data with SQLite Database Encryption Modules or employ file-level encryption across different platforms. Whatever solution you use, be sure that any sensitive data is encrypted before storing it on your server or in your database. To guarantee flawless security, always employ the most recent cryptographic techniques and undertake penetration testing on your mobile app before launching it.  

4. Leverage the Latest Cryptography Techniques.

To keep your mobile app safe from attackers, utilize the most recent security algorithm available. Because attackers frequently attempt to crack earlier versions of encryption, utilizing the most recent version of an algorithm adds an additional layer of protection to your mobile app. One of the most widely used encryption methods is Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). AES uses a symmetric key algorithm, which implies that the same key encrypts and decrypts data. There are other variations of AES encryption available, including 512-bit encryption, 256-bit encryption, and SHA-256 for hashing.  

5. Utilize Pen Testing

Evaluating the source code for vulnerabilities is another critical step in protecting your mobile app and ensuring compliance with security frameworks. If attackers obtain access to critical consumer data or firm intellectual property via your mobile app, it might result in serious and devastating security breaches. By doing regular and thorough penetration testing, you may detect and repair these security flaws before they destroy your mobile app and compliance certifications. To assure success and save your workload, delegate key testing to professionals such as NowSecure, a renowned supplier of effective and repeatable penetration testing.  

6. Encrypt data in transit

When data is sent from a mobile device to server-side endpoints, attackers may intercept the HTTP conversation. There are numerous methods for securing this data in transit, including Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Certificate Pinning. TLS developed from Secure Socket Layers (SSL), and it allows you to encrypt data in transit with public key cryptography. TLS does not really protect data on end systems; nevertheless, it does limit data access during digital transmission. Certificate Pinning employs a set of public keys to verify that a digital certificate matches the domain name that it claims. When deciding how to safeguard your data in transit, consider your mobile app’s demands, the sensitivity of your data, and potential security risks.  

7. Strictly utilize certified APIs

If you need to access third-party services when designing your mobile app, make sure you use permitted APIs. APIs that are not permitted for usage on a certain platform, such as Android or iOS, may unwittingly provide an attacker privileges and expose your data to danger. Using unapproved APIs might result in your app being rejected and removed from app stores. Similarly, for optimum security and compliance, ensure that permitted APIs meet the platform’s unique requirements.  

8. Enable high-level authenticity

With several users using your mobile app, you must build an effective authentication system. You may do this by upgrading strong alphanumeric passwords every three to six months, utilizing multi-factor authentication, or even biometric authentication. Biometrics are typically more secure than passwords, although they are more expensive and harder to apply. Regardless of the approach you choose at the start, examine your authentication methods on a frequent basis and make adjustments as needed to maintain your app secure.

9. Safeguard the backend

With all of your app’s sensitive data housed on the backend, you don’t want it to slip into the wrong hands. Encrypting all of your data at rest can help prevent attackers from reading it, even if they have access to the backend. It’s also critical to ensure that all of your APIs support the mobile operating system. Finally, high-level authentication can prevent unauthorized users from accessing your app’s important data and functionality.  

10. Be cautious with third-party libraries.

Although third-party libraries might save time and effort by reusing pre-written code, they can also pose significant security threats. Because you did not write the code, there may be security flaws that attackers may exploit. For example, the communication capability of Log4j has a security flaw that allows attackers to insert code into logs. This security issue stayed undetected for several years, from 2013 to 2021. To avoid this occurring to your mobile app, utilize code from trustworthy sources, such as regulated internal repositories, and enforce policy restrictions upon acquisition. Even if you don’t use third-party libraries, attackers can still acquire access to your code. And here is when tamper detection comes into play.  

11. Implement tamper detection

Interfere detection notifies you if someone attempts to tamper with your code or inject harmful code. By implementing active tamper detection measures, you may assure that the code will not work if updated. This makes it more difficult for attackers to change your code and alerts you to any potential tampering efforts. There are several ways to detect tampering, but some popular ones include checksumming, digital signatures, and code obfuscation. 

12. Reduce the storage of sensitive data

Retaining private information usually involves some level of danger, therefore aim to prevent or at least limit the quantity of sensitive data saved. If you need to save sensitive data, avoid doing it on the device itself. Instead of keeping the data locally, consider utilizing an encrypted data container or keychain. Similarly, implementing an auto-delete tool might assist to confirm the deletion of sensitive data as soon as you no longer require it.  

13. Conduct Continuously Testing and Updating

Safeguarding the smartphone app requires ongoing attention. As new risks arise, new responses are required. While it is easy to focus on the app’s aesthetics and use, ensuring long-term security is a critical differentiator for success. Investing in a comprehensive mobile app testing solution will help you stay up with these dangers by automating testing throughout the CI/CD process. By incorporating testing directly into the mobile development process, you may get your app to market in weeks rather than months. 

Conclusion, In the contemporary mobile-first environment, protecting the integrity of mobile applications is critical. Data encryption, robust authentication, frequent security audits, and safe backend systems are all examples of best practices that developers may adopt to greatly decrease the risk of cyber attacks and protect customer data.

However, mobile app security is a continual process that involves constant monitoring, upgrading, and adaptability to new threats. Developers must be attentive, update dependencies, and educate users on security best practices. Businesses that take a proactive and thorough approach to mobile app security may acquire the trust of their consumers while also protecting their apps from the ever-changing world of cyber threats. To learn more, contact Code-Brew Labs now!