Mobile App Protection-It's Complex - (Part-1)

Mobile devices, unlike traditional personal computers, exhibit significant differences in both their hardware and software configurations. Consequently, the security risks associated with mobile devices can vary significantly from those of laptops or desktop computers. This underscores the critical importance of mobile app protection.

When we refer to mobile devices, we are primarily talking about smartphones—devices capable of internet connectivity and the installation of software in the form of applications. With approximately 80% of the global population owning a smartphone, and a continued surge in app downloads (reaching 255 billion in 2023), companies with mobile apps must grasp the distinctive security vulnerabilities inherent to smartphones and mobile applications.

Mobile Security statistics

• 8.93 million apps available in Play Store combined Android and iOS
• 255 billion app downloads combined Android and iOS
• 6.92 billion smartphone users across the world

• 30 Apps per month used by a user on an average
• 1 in every 4 mobile apps has a high-risk vulnerability
• 5.8 Billion is the market size for mobile security

Protecting Mobile Apps vs. Websites: How mobile application protection differs from website protection

Mobile Security Standard Checklist

Secure Your Mobile App with a Code Signing Certificate

• Code signing helps ensure the integrity and authenticity of your mobile app.
• It prevents malicious actors from tampering with the code and distributing altered versions.
• Ensure that the certificate is up-to-date and valid.

Encrypt Mobile Communications

• Use strong encryption protocols (e.g., TLS) for communication between the mobile app and servers.
• Encrypt sensitive data during transmission to protect it from interception.

Multi-Factor Authentication Provision

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
• Require users to verify their identity through multiple means such as passwords, biometrics, or one-time codes.

Runtime App Self-Protection (RASP)

• Implement RASP solutions to protect your app while it's running.
• RASP monitors the app's behavior and can detect and prevent attacks in real-time.

Secure API’s

• Ensure that APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) used by your mobile app are secured.
• Implement proper authentication and authorization mechanisms for API access.
• Regularly update and patch APIs to address security vulnerabilities.

Install Tamper-Detection Tools

• Use tools that can detect and respond to tampering attempts on the mobile app.
• Tamper detection helps protect against unauthorized modifications to the app's code or configuration.

Utilize Penetration Testing

• Regularly conduct penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
• Test the app's security measures by simulating real-world attacks to find weaknesses that need improvement.

Prevent Data Leaks

• Implement secure data storage mechanisms on the device.
• Use encryption to protect sensitive data stored locally on the mobile device.
• Implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized access to stored data.