With the advent of new technologies and the rapid shift in consumer habits, smartphone and tablet apps have become prevalent in our everyday lives. It has never been easier to access mobile banking than it is now, let alone to book flights or shop online. But with this ever-increasing dependence on smartphones and tablets, we are also more exposed to cybercrime than ever before.
The myth that mobile apps are invulnerable to cyberattacks hasn’t stood up to scrutiny. While mobile apps, on average, have fewer vulnerabilities than desktops or laptops, their widespread use and applications create a broad, nearly irresistible attack surface for hackers.
The good news is that there are many steps the tech industry can take to protect itself from threats.
Mobile devices are vulnerable due to their open architecture and their ability to connect to other devices and networks. Mobile apps are particularly at risk. Hackers can exploit bugs and errors in the app’s code or the app store that hosts it.
The top vulnerability is unencrypted data transmission. Bad actors can easily intercept unencrypted data from one device to another. This often happens when a user goes online via an unsecured network, such as their coffee shop’s Wi-Fi, and connects their device to it.
However, there are other potential problems, especially in app development. Incorrect default credentials or failing to validate input parameters before storing them in memory can lead to serious vulnerabilities within the app.
In a recent major breach, cybercriminals uploaded a counterfeit crypto wallet to the iOS App Store. The unfortunate users who downloaded it and entered their credentials, thinking it was safe, were instantly deprived of their funds. And this, while using iOS, is often considered a safer alternative to Android!
Mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives, and we depend on them for everything from banking transactions to social networking. They contain sensitive information, such as passwords and payment card data, which makes them especially vulnerable to security breaches. 40% of all data breaches were traced in some way to a mobile device.
These breaches erode user confidence and can lead them to question whether conducting transactions on their mobile devices is safe. Security breaches will probably increase as more people use mobile devices for financial transactions.
App developers must double down on their security practices during and after development. That includes investing in secure coding practices, such as encryption, and ensuring they use the latest versions of any tools they use. They should also consider implementing application hardening tools, such as those offered by PreEmptive, to help uncover security threats before they become major problems.
The added security expenditure means the tech industry is spending more on product development. After many painful lessons, industry leaders have learned to take the threat of mobile cyber attacks seriously, no matter the platform. This means companies are creating more secure applications and platforms and investing in security tools to help them identify vulnerabilities.
The risks of launching untested applications are clear: potential data breaches and reputational harm. But how can companies mitigate these threats? There are several things to consider before releasing an application, including legal matters and security vulnerabilities. Here are some best practices for mitigating these risks:
App testing, for example, ensures that an application meets its business, functional, and quality requirements before being deployed to end users.
Software testers are important in ensuring that applications are free from defects and ready for release. They identify errors or defects in software requirements, design, code, and other elements of the software lifecycle. They also help ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. Testers can work in a group or individually on specific organizational projects.
Developers can also contract with third parties, such as PreEmptive, to help reduce security vulnerabilities in their apps. Third-party utilities can scan code for vulnerabilities, perhaps even finding some that developers would otherwise miss.
Given the threat of mobile breaches, there’s an ever-increasing need for developers to create more secure applications. App developers can start reducing their risk at multiple levels:
Whether speaking about a corporate entity or an independent developer, mobile app security is a serious issue with disastrous implications if not approached carefully.
Companies should build their apps with security in mind from the start. PreEmptive is the leader in application security testing and analysis. We provide solutions that are easy to use yet effective in preventing many vulnerabilities and defects in common mobile applications and systems. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you.