Mobile App Security: Know the rules now!
Mobile App
Security: Know the rules now!
According to a Veracode study, there are over 2,400 insecure apps
on the mobile devices of employees in average global companies. This goes on to
show how important it is to make apps secure, and prevent the entry of hackers
into sensitive data and corporate network system. If you are concerned about
improving mobile app security, here are some of the best practices that can
assist you in ensuring full security.
Use
Application layer security
At the application layer, you should implement various security
measures. It rests upon the manufacturers of devices to create stronger
security settings. This will allow users to adjust security settings according
to their preferences and needs. Enterprise managers and users have to make sure
that the features are properly used.
Use
Behavioral analysis tools
It is not enough to use just anti-malware programs. You should
also use Behavioral analysis tools for proper detection and removal. Such tools
are generally low-cost or free, and can scan iPad or iPhone for the apps that
have been installed. The tools can filter then in a listed order based on
different types of behavior such as battery drain, checking out the address
book and location tracking. Clueful is an app from Bitdefender, available on
iTunes, which can inform whether the apps make you an anonymous user or whether
your data has become encrypted. There are various low-cost or free tools for
the Android OS.
Use binary
static analysis
With binary static analysis, flaws in application codes and
malicious codes can be quickly spotted and dealt with. Security can be
maximized and the risks of exposure can be minimized when both binary static
analysis and behavioral analysis are combined and used. Behavioral analysis can
assist in real time assessment of codes and allow the action of each app to be
evaluated in a sandbox or some other controlled environment. The risk is
generally evaluated through the comparison of behavioral analysis results along
with behavioral patterns associated to malicious and legitimate apps.
Rely on
trusted apps
You should download apps only from enterprise app stores that are
trusted. Even these are not completely safe. In no case should unknown mobile
apps from 3rd party sources be trusted. Enterprises have to limit
the usage of different synchronization services and then distribute
company-specific mobile apps from a completely dedicated mobile app store.
No saved
passwords
Make sure that no passwords are saved by the app. Apps that run
over mobile phones should prompt users to submit their passwords each time they
log into the system. When it comes to desktop apps, users can be provided the
feature of using saved passwords as it can accelerate the speed of log-ins in
future – but it can be a security risk. The risk is greater in mobile apps.
Data
encryption in transit
Encrypting data while in transit happens to be a basic step, but
it is ignored often by enterprises. Developers are always in a hurry to come
out with more and more mobile apps, but data encryption is an area where they
are being lackadaisical – just like it was the case with the initial online
apps.
Analyze
the traffic
You should also evaluate the traffic that flows between the Web
server and the mobile app. Tools that allow checking of online traffic are
excellent for improving the security of mobile apps. It is important to analyze
the traffic manually and search method calls that can be easily manipulated. Proper
traffic analysis is one of the keys to mobile app security.
Contain vital
corporate information
As an enterprise user, you should also use container methods that
can ensure full security for mobile apps. This can be done by downloading
highly sensitive corporate enterprise data into an isolated container in the
mobile device app. This will allow apps to view corporate data as information
of a more sensitive nature than other types of data, like your vacation photos.
Secure the
services
App security can be effectively improved by securing all the
services to which mobile apps are found to connect. Service providers and
developers often fail hugely in ensuring this. An inherent security deficiency
by design along with sub-par programming practices used by developers of apps
tend to expose mobile device users to Heartbleed and various other nightmarish
vulnerabilities in TLS or SSL.
Avoiding Jailbreaking
devices
In every industry, Mobile device adoption happens to be very
important. However, some underlying security risks cannot be undervalued. Many companies use mobile platforms to
provide staffs with access to internal systems. Due to this reason, it is
essential to have a BYOD (bring your own device) policy which can particularly
handle mobile app security.
On their part, mobile users also have some responsibility. They
need to avoid rooting or Jailbreaking devices. They should avoid downloading
mobile apps from unofficial app stores or unreliable 3rd party
sources that do not come with high security approval rating. It is essential to
have all mobile apps completely updated. Overall risks of security problems can
also be minimized when companies with BYOD policies include training on the
main cyber threats and the best security policy practices.
Following
best coding practices
From the point of developers, it is important to develop every app
carefully by following the best practices of coding. It should be assessed
constantly in order to detect the potential flaws that could be exploited by
hackers or malicious users. Sadly, most developers fail to address the security
issues of mobile apps, despite the knowledge of the accompanying risks. Only a
few developers and companies are actually serious on this end. The increased
rush to release new apps to garner maximum visibility for businesses is hurting
the security aspect of mobile apps.
With mobile devices coming out in greater numbers and being
all-pervasive, and being used for everything from shopping, banking and editing
sensitive documents, mobile app security has become more important than ever.
It is important to depend on a security expert and follow the best practices in
order to keep mobile apps safe in a changing digital landscape.
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