Category: Risk Management

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Risk Management

Friendly Reminder Why Source Control Matters

Reading Time: 4 minutes

All work — physical or digital — requires a specialized toolset to master the task at hand. One of the most helpful tools for program developers is source control management software. Now that the end of the year is approaching, projects will be coming to a close. However, many programmers forsake the implementation of source control management because they don’t understand the benefits of establishing standout coding practices and habits.

Whether the work is an individual project or a large team effort, source control helps track, manage, protect, and improve code in order to meet those end-of-year deadlines. Read further as we define it, highlight the challenges and emphasize the importance of Source Control. 

What Is Source Control?

In essence, source control is the process of storing and tracking changes and edits to a coding project from start to finish. To accomplish this, programmers often use source management systems, services designed to help coders save a detailed log of backups for each iteration of code. They also allow multiple DevOps team members to work and edit within a single version and make changes without getting in the way of others’ progress.

Selecting a source control management system isn’t easy. An abundance of tools are available, making it crucial for developers to research which ones best fit their needs.

Source Control Challenges

Remember: The absence of source control is an approach to source control. It’s also the worst approach. Failing to conduct source control methodically with the proper tools can be disastrous.

For example, trying to conduct a project without a systematized backup of previous versions makes it incredibly difficult to backtrack and identify errors. Additionally, without a proper source code management system, different coders won’t be able to work simultaneously within the codebase. This lack of collaboration increases the chances of miscommunication, errors, and frustration throughout each project. 

Although getting an entire team initiated with a new process and management system is often labor-intensive, it’s worth the commitment. Finding the right source control management system for a team’s work style is vital to long-term success. 

Reasons to Implement Source Control

From a birds-eye view, implementing a source control strategy is vital to a functioning and productive coding organization. Not only does it increase productivity, but it also increases safety and fosters collaboration. 

Increase Code Security

All DevOps teams know that the source code requires as much protection as possible. Therefore, instituting proper source control is crucial because it boosts security measures. 

All data is stored in a repository through the source control management system. The repository, which can be either a public or a private server, keeps each version in a safe and centralized cloud-based system.

Additionally, many systems also come with encryption protocols and application hardening. 

Track Changes and Defects

With source code construction, keeping an eye on every change is absolutely necessary for a project’s success. Management tools provide developers with dynamic ways to track and monitor all tweaks and edits. 

Many source control management solutions automatically alert users to a code’s detected vulnerabilities and defects. Because of this, coding teams prefer these systems — such as PreEmptive’s source control solution — because they analyze and identify issues throughout each version.

Foster Collaborative Code Building

Especially in team environments, synchronizing all collaborators within one version is an immense step to success. Source code management allows developers to work within one codebase and merge all of their changes in one central repository instead of pulling together multiple versions.

Working on the shared code allows the whole team to review, edit, and leave comments in the same place. The improved collaboration accelerates the code-building process and keeps everyone in the loop on the team’s progress. 

Store Backup Code

Source control management is also sometimes referred to as “version control.” This alternative title highlights the ability for programmers to go back and look at previous versions. 

This ability to store every version and go back in time is critical to productivity, as it can save hours, days, and even weeks of work when someone is trying to track down errors. 

Best Practices for Source Control Management

When a company is figuring out which source control management system best serves its needs, there are a handful of habits it can get the team into early to ensure a more successful transition. 

Find a System That Suits the Project’s Needs

Not all source control systems offer the same features. Because of this, it’s worthwhile to put in extra effort up front and nitpick over which solution best fits the necessities of the project. 

It’s important to investigate the competing security features, different access controls, and storage methods. 

Knowing the fine details up front helps avoid stress later on. Check out PreEmptive’s source control solutions to see whether the wide range of features can meet all of the project’s source management needs.

Maintain the Latest Version

Every code revision ensures the new code is pulled and stored within the system. Keeping versions of each code iteration may seem tedious, but tracking even the slightest changes can be extremely helpful. 

It’s recommended to save commits as often as possible, as storing many versions eliminates the need to second-guess the timing of changes and edits. 

Keep a Detailed Note Log

When saving and creating new versions of code, it’s wise to note every change — large or small. There’s nothing too insignificant to be tallied; promoting an organized source control process saves teams time when issues arise. 

Review All Changes

Every time a new code version is committed, the team should run a detailed review of all changes. Doing so reduces the likelihood of building on faulty code. 

If the source control management system offers automatic error detection, the team should address any issues that arise immediately. Quick action saves incorrect code from slipping through the cracks. 

Implement Source Control as Soon as Possible

There’s little reason any programming team should be without a sound system for managing its coding projects. As is evident, implementing the best source control management service brings immense benefits to the team’s productivity and the safety of the source code. 

Happy Coding everybody!

 

 

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Risk Management

Be Aware of Frauds and Scams in the Wake of Hurricane Ian

Reading Time: 5 minutes

If natural disasters weren’t bad enough all by themselves, unfortunately, they also bring on frauds and scams. Here are some of the most common.

 

As we write this, Hurricane Ian slams the southeastern United States with category-four hurricane force. Not only are natural disasters and severe weather events devastating for the people most affected, but they also create a perfect storm, so to speak, for scammers and fraudsters to prey on both vulnerable and giving people.

 

We’re advocates for data security — all data. Electronic or otherwise. And we don’t want people in our community to be victimized by both the storm and con artists, so we compiled a list of common scams that appear during natural disasters so survivors of Hurricane Ian can identify suspicious behavior, avoid being a victim, and ideally, report it to the authorities.

 

Common Scams During Hurricane Season

Whenever a natural disaster strikes, many people need help, and just as many people want to help. But there are also unsavory types who try to profit off others’ misery and misfortune, especially during a crisis like a hurricane when things are chaotic and everything is thrown upside down — literally.. Whether you’re affected by Hurricane Ian or want to help people who are, below are scams to watch out for.

 

Disaster Relief Charity Scams

 

Unfortunately, fake charities seeking donations for disaster relief is one of the most common scams after a natural disaster. It’s incredibly easy for scammers to use phone number spoofing and social engineering to create a compelling story. If there is a charity to which you want to donate, do it through their official website after you verify their authenticity with the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar. The National Association of State Charity Officials can also tell you what charities are registered in your state.

 

Fake Representatives

 

After a disaster, some people pose as official disaster aid workers trying claiming to help survivors complete applications while asking for fees or claiming to need insurance information. Be aware that federal and state workers never ask for or accept money for federal disaster assistance and they always have proper identification and provide it readily. If any of these are amiss, it’s likely a scam.

 

Insurance Scams

 

If someone contacts you claiming to represent your insurance company, and asks for account numbers or any other personal information, hang up immediately and call your insurance company on the number provided on your monthly statement. You can continue your business if the call is legitimate (highly unlikely). If not, let them know that you received a scam call.

 

And if you’re a policyholder with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), reach them directly at 800-638-6620. Never give any personal information to anyone who calls you and claims to be with the NFIP.

 

Contractors and Home Improvement Scams

 

Many people’s homes need repairs after a hurricane. That’s when the fraudulent contractors come out hoping to take money without doing any work. Be cautious if a contractor promises fast repairs or asks for full or sizable payment before work is complete. Never give insurance policy numbers or coverage details to anyone you don’t have a contract with. If you’re considering a contractor, ask for licensing and insurance information. Many states have online services to verify licensing. And watch out for a FEMA ”endorsement.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency does not certify contractors.

 

If possible, use a contractor you’ve had a good experience with in the past, or get a recommendation from someone you trust. 

 

Housing Scams

 

If you need temporary or replacement housing, be vigilant about online scams promising a rental only if you act immediately. Never agree to rent a home without seeing it first. Do not disclose bank information, credit card numbers, or other personal information over the phone or internet to hold or reserve anything you have not physically seen and verified.

 

Social Media Misinformation

 

Social media can be beneficial during a hurricane or natural disaster to keep up to date on news and know if loved ones are okay. It can also be a vehicle for fake charities soliciting donations with heart-felt messaging and imagery during natural disasters like Hurricane Ian when people need help. Remember that not everything on social media is true, including charity requests. Double-check any social media solicitations for charitable donations before you give. And be aware that crowd-funding websites do not always vet the people who post campaigns.

 

Other Tips to Protect Yourself

You’ve probably noticed the common theme in many scams that are out in full swing after a hurricane — scammers make up a lie and, unfortunately, an unsuspecting person believes it and provides information that the scammer then uses to steal money, information, or otherwise take advantage. Hurricane or not, there are a few habits to keep you, your data, and your financial assets safe in these situations.

 

  • Beware of unsolicited calls. If someone contacts you out of the blue claiming to represent an organization and asks for your account, financial, or other personal information, hang up immediately.

 

  • Only donate to charities, disaster relief organizations, and insurance companies directly through their public numbers or official website donation portal.

 

  • Delete unexpected or suspicious-looking email messages requesting donations, do not click any links or open any attachments. Scammers use email for phishing and malware attacks.

 

  • Stay connected with the news to keep abreast of recovery efforts. The local news will report if official representatives are in the area. 

 

  • FEMA recommends watching your credit report for unauthorized changes and filing necessary complaints with the Federal Trade Commission through its website IdentityTheft.gov.

 

How to Report Fraud

If you suspect fraud, say something. Speaking up and reporting it helps others from being victims of this type of heartless ugliness. There are several ways to report fraud:

 

 

Stay Safe!

 

Unfortunately, some people take advantage during times of struggle. Whether you’ve been affected or are trying to help those who were, staying aware and vigilant is a good way to help ensure you aren’t taken advantage of. Take care of yourself and each other! 

 

This month we acknowledge Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Follow us on social for more tips/tricks to keep your information and data safe!

 

 

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Risk Management

Does Obfuscation Affect Code Performance?

Does Obfuscation Affect Code Performance
Reading Time: 5 minutes

The digital age has built bridges to new frontiers. However, these frontiers aren’t limited to the well-intentioned. Unfortunately, malicious online characters are common, and studies show that a new cyber attack is carried out every 39 seconds. 

 

Such high cybercrime rates imply that keepers of online assets must find ways to protect those assets. In addition, coders face unique threats to their work, given that their products form the foundations of the digital world. Thankfully, there are ways to defend code from being accessed, reengineered, stolen, and abused.

 

Open-source code obfuscation is a security application technique that prevents all forms of hacking and tampering. It takes executed code/data and reorders it, rendering it unidentifiable to hackers and other third parties looking to cause trouble. The benefits of code obfuscation are numerous:

 

  • It defends open-source code information and data.
  • It can eliminate debugging loopholes.
  • It slows down hackers trying to re-engineer programs and applications.
  • It helps protect intellectual property.

 

Although obfuscation has considerable upsides, many ask the question: does obfuscation affect performance? It’s a common defense tactic, but many claim that it harms source code performance and decide that the tradeoff between execution and security isn’t worth it. 

 

It’s important to understand obfuscation, what it accomplishes, and its varying methods to engage in this debate with the necessary information. Only then should someone judge whether it’s the right decision for their digital assets.

 

What Is Code Obfuscation?

 

Code obfuscation is the process of encrypting and complicating lines of code, data, and communication loops. These measures cause hackers immense difficulty in interpreting and changing existing information. Ultimately, obfuscation stymies potential hackers, limiting their access and ability to steal and manipulate.

 

There’s a broad range of methods used to carry out code obfuscation. However, in essence, obfuscation is any method implemented to make source code harder to understand. Intense levels of encryption make it so hackers require more time and resources to figure out the code they’re trying to infiltrate.

 

Renaming Obfuscation

Renaming is one of the most common and accessible forms of obfuscation. This method is used in Java, IOS, Android, and NET. Renaming code consists of disguising the variable and method names while retaining the fundamental execution. It’s useful because it directly alters the source code, leaving the program’s functions untouched. 

 

Programmers can also insert “dummy code,” additional strings of false code that mean nothing and only exist to increase the difficulty of reverse engineering. Another method removes unnecessary and gratuitous lines of code and metadata, which improves performance and shrinks the availability of hackable material. 

 

Data Obfuscation

Obfuscation takes many forms, and another standard method is encrypting stored data that’s layered into the code. This form of security creates a barrier between hackers and the valuable data within the program and memory. Data obfuscation can involve aggregation and storage-based methods. 

 

Then there’s string encryption, which entails encrypting legible strings of code. Then, each time a line of code is needed, it must be deciphered before becoming usable again. 

 

In terms of implementation, data obfuscation is more intense than renaming methods. However, combining both practices leads to amplified security. 

 

Control Code Obfuscation

Plugging in additional control loops causes hackers to lose track of any sense of a program’s patterned intent. Furthermore, tinkering with the flow of the codebase — by entering dead-end statements, for example — leaves hackers struggling to find patterns. These statements create a labyrinth, making it especially challenging to reverse engineer a coding pattern.

 

Many consider control code obfuscation the most effective way to guard their program from hackers because it removes all logic from the code’s flow, confusing those looking to cause harm. 

 

Disadvantages of Code Obfuscation

With the what, why, and how of obfuscation established, it’s time to examine the other side of the aisle: why do some cast a wary eye on the practice of obfuscation?

 

The main weakness cited against obfuscation is that adding extra layers of security bogs down code performance. Some estimate that obfuscation can impact program performance between 10% and 80%. This criticism is reasonable because it’s true: adding obfuscation tactics results in extra layers of complexity and affects performance. But there are important caveats — namely that not all obfuscation methods impact performance to the same extent.

 

Renaming obfuscation rarely impacts code performance as it only deals with the semantic structure. As a result, the program function remains nearly identical after obfuscation. Any resulting performance drop-off from this method is minor, if not non-existent.

 

On the other hand, data and control flow obfuscation can sometimes cause a significant performance reduction depending on the intensity of the encryption. Baking additional safety layers into the data and code flow cause the application to take on extra work to execute its function. However, as opposed to renaming methods, data and control flow provide more comprehensive defense against hackers. 

 

Nothing is guaranteed, and there’s never 100% certainty that obfuscation prevents hacking. Some hackers can overcome even high levels of obfuscation. Nevertheless, obfuscation should always be considered because without it, the results can be severe.

 

Leaving Coding Insecure

The rate at which hackers attempt to steal information makes preparation vital to maintaining online safety. If that’s not a good enough reason, up to $400 billion in capital is lost to online hackers every year.

 

Even though obfuscating code comes with some slight downsides, nothing compares to being left helpless as hackers infiltrate, ruin, and steal the hard work of entire companies.

 

Refusing to obfuscate significantly increases the chances of falling prey to such schemes, which can lead to unimaginable consequences depending on what was left unsecured. Such dangers all but necessitate analyzing programs for weaknesses and finding the right solution to protect sensitive data. 

 

Forming a multi-layered obfuscation strategy is a great way to defend digital property from being stolen or attacked. Anyone looking for best-in-class code obfuscation needn’t look any further than PreEmptive’s vast offering of protective services. Visit PreEmptive’s product page for more information or to sign up for a free trial.

 

 

 

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Risk Management

How Your Android App Can Be Stolen for Hacking

How Your Android App Can Be Stolen for Hacking
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Android is the most common mobile OS by far, cornering 87% of the market share — a number which is expected to grow. Android’s open platform and extensive library of resources make it easy for developers to create and integrate new apps. However, the same features that make Android easy for developers to use also make it easy for hackers to exploit. 

Android apps have become the most widely used alternative to desktop software. Because apps are used for banking, shopping, and transmitting personal information, they’re a prime target for cybercriminals. One of the most common methods hackers use to carry out various attacks is reverse engineering your code.

1. Reverse Engineering

Android’s open environment makes it an easy target for reverse engineering. Reverse engineering analyzes an app to figure out how it works and its design and implementation process. This is done by examining the compiled code, observing the app during runtime, or both. There are numerous free tools available to reverse engineer the binary code of Android apps. 

Attackers can use reverse engineering to steal your intellectual property, modify your code, attack your back-end systems, discover security vulnerabilities, and gain access to confidential data. The first step in almost all Android hacking attempts is reverse engineering the code. 

2. Repackaging Attacks

Repackaging, or cloning, attacks are a problem for apps of all sizes. Hackers often take good but not very popular apps and reverse engineer their code. They then modify the code to suit their purpose, which could be embedding malware to steal credentials or ad revenue. The modified code is then repackaged, and consumers may be convinced to install it, thinking they’re installing a trusted app. Another variation of the repackaging app is when hackers rebrand an app and publish it as their own, often making more than the original developer. 

3. String Table Analysis

String tables are frequently used for storing sensitive information such as license keys, credentials, and other confidential data on both the client and server sides. Hackers can analyze the string tables to gather information, identify algorithms, understand database designs, and more. The string table may contain the data they want to steal, or they may use the information they gather to launch a different type of attack. 

4. Functional Cross Referencing

Cross-referencing can help hackers determine where a particular function was called from. They can use that to detect vulnerable code they can use to execute malware or find the code that does the encryption of data they want to steal. Cross-referencing can show how information was accessed, which is invaluable to hackers trying to steal intellectual property, sensitive data, or insert malicious code. 

5. Debugging and Emulator Attacks

Hackers can use debuggers and emulators for dynamic analysis during runtime. Using these tools, they’re able to identify vulnerabilities and exploit them with runtime attacks. Unlike the other methods, these attacks require active hardening. Your app needs to be able to modify its behavior and response during runtime if an active threat is detected. 

Preventing Reverse Engineering With Obfuscation

Almost any code can be reverse-engineered given enough time and resources. However, obfuscating your code can make it more difficult, expensive, and time-consuming for hackers to reverse engineer. The free decompilers make it extremely simple for hackers to reverse engineer code that isn’t obfuscated. 

If your code is obfuscated, hackers are more likely to give up and move on rather than investing time and money into reverse engineering the source code. Code obfuscation can consist of a number of different techniques designed to disguise your code from hackers while not interfering with its execution. 

Data obfuscation 

Data obfuscation scrambles data via tokenization or encryption to make it unreadable to hackers. 

Code obfuscation 

Obfuscating your code makes it look like unusable nonsense to hackers. There are many ways to obfuscate your code, and your hardening process should use a layered approach to make it harder to crack. At PreEmptive, we employ a range of different obfuscation techniques to provide a high level of security. 

Our DashO security application provides passive hardening through the following types of code obfuscation: 

Rename obfuscation 

Renaming changes the name of methods and variables. 

String encryption 

Even when you rename your methods and variables, your strings may still be discoverable. String encryption provides an additional layer of security to your software by making it harder for threat agents to decipher and understand.

Protecting Against Runtime Attacks

Obfuscating your data and code isn’t enough to secure your Android app. You also need to use active hardening to protect against runtime attacks. Some of the methods DashO uses to deflect runtime hacking attempts include: 

Tamper detection and defense

You can prohibit or modify your app’s behavior if it detects an unauthorized attempt to gain access. 

Root detection and defense

Jailbreaking a device compromises the security of your app. Control whether your app will run on a rooted device and how it will respond.

Emulator detection and defense

Running an app on an emulator allows a hacker to understand and analyze an app’s functioning in a controlled environment. DashO can sense when your app is being used in an emulator. You can decide whether or not your app will run in an emulator and how it will respond if it is. 

Hooking detection and defense

Hackers use hooking frameworks to modify your app at runtime without altering the binaries. If DashO detects a hooking framework, the app can respond by shutting down, throwing an exception, or sending an alert, among other options. 

Multi-faceted App Hardening

App hardening

To protect your Android app from ever-evolving cybersecurity threats, you must take a multi-pronged approach. However, hardening your app is pointless if your app breaks as the runtime platform evolves. At PreEmptive, we are constantly monitoring, testing, and upgrading our solutions to protect your app from runtime issues and to respond to new hacker threats and tools.

Your organization can’t afford the expense, exposure, or possible brand damage associated with having your app hacked. Contact us today to find out how our solutions can integrate with your current DevOps practices to provide the security and protection you need.

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Risk Management

Security Breaches of 2021

Security Breaches of 2021
Reading Time: 7 minutes

It’s no secret that security breaches are becoming more and more common. There were 1,864 data breaches in 2021, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. That’s an increase of 68% from the previous year. And as we become more reliant on technology, it’s only going to get worse. This trend is likely to continue in 2022, with hackers becoming more sophisticated and organizations struggling to keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats.

That’s why it’s important to be aware of the security risks that come with using certain applications. After all, it only takes one security breach to jeopardize your personal information. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common security breaches of 2021. We’ll also provide some tips on how you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.

What Is a Security Breach?

A security breach is any incident that results in the unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of confidential information. This can include anything from losing your laptop to having your email account hacked. Security breaches can have serious consequences. They can lead to identity theft, financial losses, and damage to your reputation.

Top 5 Most Iconic Data Breaches in the U.S.

The United States has had its share of high-profile data breaches. Here are five of the most iconic security breaches in U.S. history:

1. Equifax (2017).

In 2017, the credit reporting agency Equifax announced a data breach that affected 147 million people. Hackers were able to exploit a vulnerabilities in Equifax’s website and gain access to sensitive information like Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses, and driver’s license numbers.

2. Yahoo (2013-2014)

The Yahoo data breach is one of the largest security breaches to date. In 2013 and 2014, 500 million user accounts were compromised by what is believed to be a state-sponsored actor. The information stolen includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, hashed passwords, and in some cases, security questions and answers. While the cause of the breach is still under investigation, it highlights the importance of security applications and app hardening.

3. Target (2013)

The personal information of more than 70 million Target customers was exposed in this data breach. Hackers accessed Target’s point-of-sale (POS) systems and were able to steal customer names, credit and debit card numbers, expiration dates and security codes. This breach cost Target approximately $292 million.

4. JPMorgan Chase (2014)

Hackers accessed the contact information of 76 million JPMorgan Chase customers in this security breach. The security breach was the result of a spear-phishing campaign that allowed hackers to obtain employee credentials, which they used to gain access to the company’s servers.

JPMorgan Chase is one of the world’s largest banks, with more than $2 trillion in assets. The security breach affected 76 million households and 7 million small businesses.

The hackers accessed customer names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and dates of birth. They also obtained customer account information, such as account numbers and balances.

5. Anthem (2015)

The personal information of 78.8 million Anthem customers was exposed in this security breach. The security breach occurred when hackers gained access to Anthem’s servers through a phishing attack.

The hackers accessed customer names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, street addresses, email addresses, and employment information, as well as Anthem member ID numbers.

Five Major U.S. Data Breaches in 2021 – How They Happened

The year 2021 was marked by a number of high-profile data breaches. Here’s a look at five of the biggest security breaches that occurred in the U.S. last year.

1. Microsoft Exchange Server Data Breach (January 2021)

In January 2021, it was discovered that a number of vulnerabilities in Microsoft’s Exchange Server software had been exploited by a Chinese state-sponsored hacker group. The vulnerabilities allowed the hackers to gain access to the email accounts of Exchange Server users. However, it is now thought that China sucked up a lot of data to enhance their artificial intelligence (AI) program.

The attack was made possible by a number of vulnerabilities in Exchange Server that were first discovered in early 2021. These vulnerabilities, which are known as “zero-days,” were not made public until after the attacks had been carried out.

The security breach affected more than 30,000 organizations in 150 countries. The hackers are thought to have used a number of techniques to gain access to Exchange Server systems, including password spraying and brute-force attacks.

Once they had gained access to a system, the hackers planted malicious code on the victim’s servers. This allowed them to remotely run commands on the server and steal data.

The data that was stolen includes email addresses, subject lines, and the contents of emails. The hackers may also have gained access to contact lists, calendar entries, and tasks.

The breach was discovered by a security researcher who goes by the name “Orange Tsai.” Tsai reported the breach to Microsoft, and the company released a patch for the vulnerabilities in March 2021.

2. Facebook (April 2021)

Facebook has since attributed the breach to its tool to sync contacts. The company cited that hackers took advantage of a vulnerability to compromise and scrape user data.

Even though Facebook recorded one of its largest leaks in 2021, the problems began way back in 2013 when the social network started facing data breaches. This exposed it to vulnerabilities of which hackers took advantage in 2021. One of Facebook’s spokespersons confirmed to Business Insider that this incident was due to vulnerabilities that ensued in 2019.

In 2019, one of Facebook’s security issues was that company employees had access to 600 million user accounts. Additionally, the company had stored Facebook and Instagram account IDs and passwords in plaintext files, which is risky.

During the same period, UpGuard revealed that two third-party-developed Facebook apps with 540 million user records did not protect their data records, thus exposing user information to the public. The same year, investigations revealed that hackers tampered with Facebook’s application programming interface (API) along with user IDs, phone numbers, and names.

Following these eventualities, Facebook’s over 530 million users were affected in 2021, and 300 million others were affected in 2019. The company encountered an outage in some countries, which cost the company $40 billion. The company also faced some reputational nightmares. The data scraping went on for two weeks before being detected, as per Facebook’s report.

3. Colonial Pipeline (May 2021)

In May 2021, the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies fuel to the US East Coast, was hit by a ransomware attack. The attack resulted in the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, which caused fuel shortages and panic buying across the U.S. East Coast.

The attack was carried out by a group of hackers known as DarkSide. The group is thought to be based in Russia and operates as a ransomware-as-a-service operation.

It is believed that the hackers gained access to Colonial Pipeline’s network through a phishing attack. Once they were inside the network, they deployed ransomware and encrypted Colonial Pipeline’s data.

The hackers then demanded a ransom of $4.4 million in Bitcoin. Colonial Pipeline eventually paid the ransom, but not before the attack had caused widespread disruption that resulted in fuel shortages, panic buying, and soaring fuel prices.

4. JBS (May 2021)

JBS, the world’s largest meat supplier, was hit by a ransomware attack in May 2021. The attack caused JBS to shut down its operations in the U.S., Australia, and Canada.

The attack was carried out by a group of hackers known as REvil. The group is thought to be based in Russia and operates as a ransomware-as-a-service operation.

It is believed that the hackers gained access to the JBS network through a phishing attack. Once they were inside the network, they deployed ransomware and encrypted JBS data.

The hackers then demanded a ransom of $11 million. JBS did pay the ransom, but the attack still caused significant disruption to the company’s operations. The attack also had a knock-on effect on the global meat supply chain.

5. Peloton Data Breach (January 2021)

In December 2020, Peloton, the exercise bike company, suffered a data breach. The breach resulted in the compromised personal information of up to 2.4 million customers.

The breach occurred when Peloton’s website was hacked. The hackers were able to gain access to Peloton’s customer database, which contained information such as names, email addresses, and birthdates.

Peloton was made aware of the breach in December 2020 and took steps to secure its website. However, the damage had already been done, and the personal information of Peloton’s customers was now in the hands of the hackers.

These are just some of the biggest security breaches that have occurred in recent years. As we can see, no company is safe from attack, and all companies need to be vigilant about security. The best way to protect your company from a security breach is to invest in security applications and app hardening. These measures will help to make your company’s data more secure and less attractive to hackers.

Your Safety and Security Come First.

The above incidents of data breaches and the aftermath can have a devastating effect on businesses, no matter their size. That’s why it’s critical for organizations to take steps now to protect their data and applications. 

At PreEmptive Solutions, we provide a range of products that help make applications more resistant and resilient to hacking and tampering. Our layered approach provides multiple layers of protection, making it much harder for attackers to succeed. 

If you want to learn more about our products or how we can help your organization protect its data, please contact us.

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Risk Management

Best Practices When Using JavaScript in Development

Best Practices When Using JavaScript in Development
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Fun fact: did you know that the first version of JavaScript was called Mocha? Programmer Brendan Eich invented Mocha in 1995. He created it for Netscape, a digital communications company that sought to break away from the visual blandness of standard HTML and develop webpages with interactive and dynamic features. Later, the name changed to what’s known today as JavaScript.

After Eich completed JavaScript, object-oriented language rapidly became a globally accepted coding method. More than 10 million developers — over 65% of all developers and over 90% of all websites — use and implement JavaScript. 

JavaScript: Best Practices for Security and Protection

One of JavaScript’s unique features is that it uses an open source format for code distribution, meaning it’s visible to anyone with webpage access. However, while open source has advantages, its transparency creates security risks, as the code is easy to search for weaknesses and then hack. To combat this, developers can familiarize themselves with best practices and decrease the risk of security breaches.

Secure coding can be critical. For example, the average data breach costs a business $4.2 million. Because of this, maximum protection and code obfuscation are essential in JavaScript development for browser pages, in-app content, and third-party APIs. To help businesses worried about the security of their code, PreEmptive offers best-in-class protection and support for all major frameworks. 

Use Input Sanitization 

Input sanitization is vital to protect source-scripted languages like JavaScript. Web attackers use open source code to inject malicious scripting into a website, an attack known as cross-site scripting. Once users log onto a website, the attacker’s script records victim data and then transfers it back. 

Using input sanitization applications to monitor source scripting is critical to preventing these attacks. These applications examine untrusted sources and expose potential attacks. In addition, each character of code is run through a security check, eliminating unnecessary and potentially harmful add-ons. For additional security, it’s also a good idea to enable strict mode whenever possible. 

PreEmptive’s JSDefender software provides code obfuscation tools that make hacker manipulation extremely difficult and help prevent attacks before they occur. 

Examine Third-Party API Integration

An application programming interface (API) is a messenger that transfers data requests between applications, databases, and devices. Most APIs use JavaScript because it removes the complexity in back-end development. However, developing with JavaScript means that the code is accessible. 

The world’s largest tech companies — such as Google, Meta, and Twitter — offer third-party API integration to web builders, which speeds up the development process and saves money. However, although APIs provide many benefits to web builders, programmers must practice caution when using them. Failing to vet APIs properly can result in poor user quality and leave a site vulnerable to nefarious activity. 

To defend a website’s users and data, use only APIs that have been tested and verified. Thoroughly examine the implementation documents for details regarding data usage, functions, and restrictions. Ensure that all APIs came from and were tested by a well-accredited source. 

Finally, check each API for its security policy and reputation. Not every API comes with the same level of security. Key elements like encrypted connections and strict data protection aren’t guarantees, so scrutinize every API before applying it to a website. 

Even after installing APIs, companies must continue monitoring for unwanted and malicious behavior. Using PreEmptive’s application protection services is a great way to keep critical APIs secure and free of problems.

Increase Application Hardening

The worst thing a business can lose is customer trust, and more and more consumers use phones to conduct online transactions via mobile apps than ever before. Applications are crucial to forming an accessible and appealing mobile environment, and protecting digital infrastructure is paramount. For maximum security, any app that deals with sensitive and private user data should undergo app hardening. 

Web developers can implement app hardening through multiple methods. Data and code obfuscation prevents hackers from interpreting sensitive data or entering an app and reverse engineering it to the source code. It does this by renaming code and replacing certain identifying factors that make it difficult to decipher.

Anti-debugging is another method to thwart hacking efforts. For example, online criminals use debuggers to examine app vulnerabilities, and app hardening can detect the presence of debuggers and block them.

PreEmptive offers top-grade app hardening and anti-tampering solutions. Overall, app protection significantly increases online trust among users, prevents security threats, and reduces the risk of major financial loss. 

Eliminate URL Injections

A URL injection is when a hacker codes a malicious page onto a business’s website. These pages are designed to reroute users to a different site where their protected data is harvested. 

URL injections are possible because of weaknesses in anti-malware and source codes. These weaknesses give nefarious actors access to a site’s coding, allowing them to perform injections freely. Furthermore, once they’re set up, the pages are hard to identify as they steal personal and financial information.  

These URL injections are why programmers need to check their sites for compromised pages continually. One way to check for URL injections is by using the Google Search Console or specific URL injection tools. Once the URL is identified, the page’s coding and data source are altered to add a layer of protection. However, programmers must implement additional firewalls and monitor source code for vulnerabilities to prevent these attacks. 

Additional measures, such as data/coding obfuscation, are critical to addressing and preventing URL injections. Using encrypted coding, strict detection, and anti-tampering software is the only way to consistently protect a site from URL injections. 

Always Practice Safe Coding

Through awareness and implementation of best practices, developers construct safer coding environments and build trust with their user bases — trust that may hold enormous financial consequences. To guarantee this, many website owners choose to boost security by partnering with cutting-edge defense applications. 

For powerful code protection, try PreEmptive’s professional-grade JSDefender application. Learn more about this wide range of data protection services and sign up for a free quote.

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Risk Management

3 Common Security Mistakes Developers Make in Their SDLC

3 Common Security Mistakes Developers Make in Their SDLC
Reading Time: 4 minutes

The systems development lifecycle (SDLC) is a process used by developers to create and deploy software applications. The SDLC provides a framework for security, quality assurance, and project management throughout the software development process. Security is of paramount importance in the SDLC, as developers must ensure that their applications are secure from attacks.

Quality assurance is also critical, as developers must ensure that their applications meet customers’ expectations. Project management is essential to the success of the SDLC, as it helps developers track their progress and ensure that they meet their deadlines. By following the SDLC, developers can create high-quality, secure software applications that meet customers’ expectations.

When it comes to developing software, the security of the final product should be a top priority. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Security is often an afterthought, which can lead to vulnerabilities and exploits. 

3 Most Common Security Mistakes That Developers Make When It Comes to Cybersecurity

When it comes to developing software, the security of the final product should be a top priority. Security should be integrated into every stage of the SDLC, from initial planning to post-deployment. Here are three common mistakes developers make when it comes to security in their SDLC.

1. Not Using Software Security Tools to Prevent Cyberattacks

The first common mistake many developers make is failing to use the proper software security tools to prevent cyberattacks. They often try to develop their own tools or use free ones that are ineffective. This can lead to vulnerabilities in the code, which hackers can exploit.

Using software security tools can help developers find and fix vulnerabilities in their code, making it more difficult for hackers to capitalize on them. These tools can also help automate the process of checking and fixing vulnerabilities in the code, saving time and resources.

Different software security tools have varying roles in the SDLC. Some help identify potential security risks, some write secure code, and others test code for vulnerabilities. In-app protection tools assist in securing the app post-development. It is crucial to prioritize security at every stage of the SDLC to ensure that risks are appropriately mitigated and that the final product is secure.

There are many different software security tools available that can help prevent attacks. These tools can help find and fix vulnerabilities in the code. They can also help monitor the system for suspicious activity and block attacks.

PreEmptive offers a variety of  in-app protection tools that can be used throughout the software development lifecycle to secure code, aid in app hardening. and mitigate vulnerabilities. PreEmptive tools are designed to work with a variety of programming languages and platforms, making them versatile for developers. Whether a developer is looking to protect mobile apps, web apps, or desktop apps,  PreEmptive tools can help them secure the code and prevent vulnerabilities from arising.

2. Failing to Use Source-Code Analysis Tools

The second mistake developers often make is failing to use source-code analysis tools. These tools can help identify vulnerabilities in the code and provide recommendations for fixing them. Many developers are not  aware of these tools or do not use them properly. This can lead to serious security issues that could otherwise be avoided.

Source-code analysis tools can be used to find a variety of issues, including buffer overflows, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting. They can also help find vulnerabilities in third-party libraries. By using these tools, developers can find and fix vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them.

Source-code analysis aims to improve the security of an application by identifying potential vulnerabilities during the development process. Security issues can often be found in the code itself, so it makes sense to look for them early on.

Source-code analysis can be used at different stages of the SDLC. For example, it can be used to identify potential security risks during the requirements-gathering phase. During the design phase, it can also be used to ensure that security is built into the system, and it can be used during the testing phase to find any vulnerabilities that may have been introduced during development.

Once the source code is analyzed, the findings can be used to improve the security of the application. For example, if a potential vulnerability is found, the code can be fixed to prevent it from being exploited. Alternatively, if a security issue is found in a third-party library, the application can be redesigned to avoid using that library. The application can then be submitted to the  in-app software protection tools offered by PreEmptive for app hardening.

3. Not Doing Security Testing in All Phases of the SDLC

The third mistake that many developers make is not doing security testing in all phases of the SDLC. Security testing should be done throughout the entire process, from initial planning to post-deployment.  Security testing can help find and fix vulnerabilities in the code. It can also help ensure that the application is configured correctly and meets all security requirements.

Security testing can be done manually or with automated tools. Automated tools can help speed up the process and find more issues than manual testing. Security testing should be done regularly, even after the application has been deployed.

In most cases, security testing is treated as an afterthought, to be done right before the app goes live. Security testing in the earlier stages of development can help find and fix issues before they become a problem. Security testing should be done throughout the entire SDLC to ensure that the application is secure.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity threats are increasing in number and sophistication every day. Developers who want to stay ahead of the curve need to use the latest software security tools to prevent cyberattacks. While developers can make many potential mistakes in their SDLC, we’ve highlighted the three most common ones. Implementing security within the SDLC is critical to protecting applications from cyberattacks and data breaches.

PreEmptive offers high-quality, highly flexible, smart application protection, including app hardening, to a wide variety of industries, protecting and securing applications for a broad range of platforms, including .NET, Java/Android, JavaScript, and iOS.  Take a look at PreEmptive’s solutions today and see how they can help improve the application security posture.

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Risk Management

PCI DSS 4.0 Regulation Framework Requirements

PCI DSS 4.0 Regulation Framework Requirements
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Payment card industry (PCI) compliance is vital to the security and success of any business that takes credit card payments from customers. Failure to comply results in considerable losses of money and customer trust. 

To achieve compliance, businesses must meet a set of data security standards (DSS), a framework that outlines the steps necessary to protect customers’ data. PCI DSS applies to all organizations that collect, store, and transmit credit card information. 

Maintaining full compliance was recently complicated by the fact that PCI DSS was updated, with version 4.0 issued on March 31, 2022. It is the first significant overhaul of the system since 2014 and will remain in place until 2024, so understanding the requirements is urgent. 

Requirements for PCI DSS Compliance

PCI DSS is founded on 12 requirements that merchants must meet in order to be considered compliant. 

  • Installation and maintenance of network security controls 
  • Application of secure configurations to all system components
  • Protection of stored account data
  • Use of strong cryptography to transmit cardholder data over public networks 
  • Protection of systems and networks from malicious software
  • Development and maintenance of secure systems and applications
  • Restricted access to cardholder data 
  • Identification and authentication of users to access system components
  • Restricted physical access to cardholder data
  • Monitoring and logs of all access to network resources and cardholder data
  • Regular testing of security systems and processes
  • Establishment and maintenance of a policy to address information security

While these requirements may seem overwhelming, getting started is at least fairly straightforward. First, businesses must determine their PCI DSS merchant level. The level depends on the number of annual Visa transactions. For example, a merchant that processes over six million transactions is a level one merchant while a business that only processes one million is a level four. It is also possible for a merchant’s level to be elevated after a security breach. 

After determining the appropriate level, merchants need to fill out a self-assessment questionnaire from the PCI Security Standards Council website. This will help determine how well a company is complying with the regulations. 

At this point, businesses should build secure networks based on the questionnaire answers. Finally, they complete an attestation of compliance (AOC) to verify that they have met the necessary standards. 

Changes to PCI DSS 4.0

As a whole, the goal of the updates for version 4.0 of PCI DSS was to make the standards more flexible and accommodate different data and payment security strategies. The changes also help to stay on top of new threats and changes in technology. 

For example, the standards no longer refer exclusively to firewalls and routers. Instead, they reference network security controls to acknowledge the use of security measures outside of firewalls. 

Additionally, the PCI DSS scope is broader and now includes service providers who might impact the cardholder data environment (CDE), even if they are not directly processing the data. Likewise, rather than focusing on specific technologies, the scope for PCI DSS now includes any and all systems that have the potential to affect account data.

One other important shift to note is that encryption is not enough to ensure a business or any of its systems is compliant. The scope of compliance might be more limited if the system or entity is unable to decrypt data and doesn’t perform any encryption activities, but there is no total exemption from the standards on this basis.

Consequences for Failed Compliance 

Although PCI DSS compliance might seem burdensome and expensive, the consequences for failed compliance are severe. In addition to lawsuits and losses in profits, businesses with PCI DSS violations face significant fines ranging anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000 per month. These fines are passed down the line from card brands to payment processors, generally landing in the laps of the merchants. 

On top of the financial costs are losses to reputation, canceled partnerships with banks and other businesses, and suspension from processing transactions. Security failures and breaches in the past have shown just how serious the impact can be.

Target

One of the best-known examples of an enormous data failure is Target. In 2013, Target lost data for 40 million credit card numbers. Investigators found that, although the company had an excellent tool for malware detection, critical warnings were ignored for a number of weeks. 

As a result of their failure to comply, Target had to face one of the most tangible consequences: enormous financial losses. This came in the form of $18.5 million in settlements for affected customers in the United States and more than $202 million in legal fees. 

Because of its size, Target survived its data breach, but the financial security of small businesses is reliant on avoiding these kinds of events. The cost of implementing the necessary security measures pales in comparison to the potential losses of failed compliance. 

Warner Music Group 

A lesser-known but more recent example is Warner Music Group, which was unknowingly under siege for three months in 2020. From April to August, attackers gained access to the data of customers. 

The affected data included names, email addresses, billing addresses, credit card numbers, and CVC and CVV codes. As a result, Warner sent a notification to all customers stating that their personal information might have been captured in the breach. 

One of the immediate financial impacts on Warner was the cost of their offer of 12 months of free identity monitoring. However, the damage is unlikely to stop there. Ongoing class-action lawsuits have not yet been settled, and one of the major points of contention from the claimants is that the company failed to notice that its data was being attacked for such a long period of time. 

Supporting Security and Compliance

PCI DSS compliance is critical for businesses and the results of failed compliance are long-lasting and costly. One of the requirements for compliance is using outside sources to assess vulnerabilities in app security. 

Businesses can ensure that they meet this requirement by including payment app security from the outset. Automated security controls from PreEmptive can identify threats and help merchants meet these and other evolving regulations. 

PreEmptive is a leader in app hardening and shielding that defends against attacks on multiple platforms. This helps assure compliance and keeps private customer data out of the hands of malicious hackers.

The past has shown that application security is a worthwhile investment. PreEmptive’s products offer app hardening solutions for any merchant or business in need of the strongest and most reliable security.    

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Risk Management

5 Ways PreEmptive Boosts Productivity in Your SDLC With DevSecOps

5 Ways PreEmptive Boosts Productivity in Your SDLC With DevSecOps
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Devsecops is quickly becoming instrumental for businesses that want to boost productivity. According to the 2021 GitLabs DevSecOps report, teams that use a devsecops approach to generating their code got their work out the door 60% faster than those that didn’t. That’s a massive improvement in efficiency and productivity.

You can reap the same rewards by taking a devsecops approach early in your systems development lifecycle (SDLC). Keep reading to learn the five most important ways that early devsecops implementation can streamline your SDLC and what it means to take a devsecops approach.

What Is DevSecOps?

DevSecOps

The term devsecops is short for “development, security, operations.” It’s the next evolution of the “devops” culture and approach to development. In DevOps, the development and operations teams work together closely to ensure that the program is designed from the ground up to meet functionality goals and deadlines. 

Devsecops goes one step further by rolling the security team into the development process. Instead of having a DevOps group and a Security group, everyone on the project is responsible for ensuring it’s secure. This helps prevent fundamental security flaws from being baked into the final product and reduces the risk of costly security fixes after development is complete. 

Building a devsecops culture within your business helps you accomplish this by providing five main benefits. When your team is dedicated to pursuing devsecops goals throughout the SDLC, you can:

1. Improve Communication

The traditional approach to application development involves siloed teams. Each part of the development process is handled by separate groups. These groups don’t typically work together and only communicate about the project when it’s moved from one team to the next. As a result, communication delays are common, and miscommunications can cause problems that take weeks to resolve. 

Taking a devsecops approach can resolve this issue entirely. Instead of having siloed teams working separately, everyone is working on it at the same time. The group can easily communicate and bring up potential problems in advance, saving time and effort in the long run. 

You can further improve communication about security concerns by implementing security solutions in your application from the very beginning. PreEmptive makes it easy for everyone on your team to ensure the app is secure, including non-specialists. Everyone can communicate in the same language and avoid delays since they’re all working with the same tools.

2. Implement Early Testing

Devsecops allows you to start performing critical tests early before it becomes cost-prohibitive to make essential changes. There’s no need to wait until the project is nearing completion to send it to the security team. Since everyone is responsible for security, and protective features and architecture should be included from the very start, it’s possible to start security testing significantly earlier in your SDLC. 

Working with a tool like PreEmptive makes early testing easier to accomplish. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or worry about whether your tests will miss something. You can simply verify that the PreEmptive hardening features are working as intended. 

This early testing can significantly improve your team’s productivity. You can catch potential flaws and risks right away when they can be fixed in hours or days. The result is less time wasted on preventable fixes and more time spent on features that matter.

3. Incorporate Security Into Metric Monitoring

Many teams monitor productivity metrics to determine how well they’re performing. When you’ve built a devsecops security culture, you can include your security teams in your monitoring process to understand how your project is going. 

This holistic overview helps you spot places where you’re inefficient. You can quickly address delays or redundant processes and refine your SDLC to reach peak performance. 

4. Integrate Shared Knowledge

Another benefit of devsecops culture is the way it encourages sharing knowledge. A well-structured devsecops approach means that everyone does a little of everything. Having team members share their knowledge ensures that the loss of one person won’t derail an entire project. Someone else will have a basic understanding of what needs to be done to keep things moving. 

Furthermore, this team culture can benefit your project as a whole. Collaboration between groups with different skill sets leads to more robust, secure projects, particularly when they have high-quality tools to work with. Providing shared security tools like PreEmptive reinforces this knowledge transfer and collaboration, making your final product even better. 

5. Institute Automation

A quality devsecops team will prioritize the use of automation. When your development and security teams are one and the same, it’s easy to build high-quality security automation from the beginning of your SDLC. This can make all the difference down the road. 

Security automation includes attributes like:

  • Obfuscation: Protecting sensitive information and code through renaming, encryption, and minification.
  • Tamper detection: Identifying and shutting down outside attempts to adjust your application without permission.
  • Control-flow: Ensuring that outside forces can’t affect the commands issued within your application.

The sooner these features are built into an application, the less likely it is to contain major security flaws. Devsecops ensures that you can bake in automated security protection while your app is still in early development.

PreEmptive makes it easy to automate your app’s security from the moment your team begins work. It’s as easy as adding your chosen solution to your app, with no need to send your sensitive or protected code to a third party at any point. You get the benefits of automated security and regular updates while keeping your code in-house.

Make DevSecOps Easier With PreEmptive

It’s never too early to start thinking about application protection and security. Devsecops is the best way to make sure your app is secure from the moment you begin development. 

If you want to make devsecops a fundamental part of your SDLC, PreEmptive makes it simple. By adding a PreEmptive security solution like DashO, JSDefender, or Dotfuscator to your app, you ensure that security is baked into your design. Learn more about how PreEmptive can help you accomplish your security goals, or start your free trial today. 

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Risk Management

Common Mistakes Developers Do When Building Apps

Pre-blog-Common Mistakes-Developers-Do-When-Building-Apps
Reading Time: 5 minutes

With the rapid rate at which new apps are popping up, it goes without saying that app development is becoming increasingly popular. Over 143 billion apps were downloaded in 2021 alone. However, not all apps garner the success their developers may have initially hoped to achieve. Many end up getting uninstalled after their first use.

The competitive market is partly to blame for this. But mistakes that occur during the application development process are to blame as well. Here, we’ll go over eight of the most common mistakes developers make so that you can avoid them and position your app for success. 

1. Skipping Over Research

After coming up with or hearing an idea for an app, many developers want to dive right into bringing the vision to life. However, rushing in without research can lead to numerous issues and wasted money. 

Successfully developing and marketing an app relies on user research. Is there a need for the app? If so, who is the target audience — what are their demographics? And what are their typical behaviors and motivations?

Competitor research is also critical. If they’re also developing an app — or if they already have one — then keeping tabs on what they’re up to will help you create something unique and appealing. 

2. Striving to Create a “Perfect” App

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to create a great app that users will love. In fact, that’s usually the point. There’s no such thing as a “perfect” app, though. Trying to create something that’s free of all flaws could lead to a never-ending development cycle. Ultimately, you may never launch it. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t strive to develop an app that continues to improve over time. One way to do this is by creating a minimum viable product or MVP. An MVP is a version of an app that only includes the essential features it needs to work. You can then release it to early adopters who can assess its functionality and performance. Their feedback allows you to create a better final product, avoid time and budget waste, and may even speed up the time to launch. 

3. Failure to Test Properly

Testing is a critical component of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It ensures a smooth, pleasant user experience and helps developers squash “bugs” before launch. The problem is that several challenges still exist. 

There are several strategies for dealing with common testing challenges. Here are a few that may help:

  • Develop a solid testing process that includes how often you’ll test an app and who will do it. 
  • Consider using in-house and outsourced testing experts. 
  • Make sure you have all of the proper tools to run tests.
  • Make sure there’s ample time to devote to testing (schedule it if you have to). 

4. Creating a Poor User Experience

It’s not uncommon for developers to get so entrenched in the development process that they forget about how users will interact with an app. Unfortunately, that mistake can be costly. A poor user experience is one of the top reasons people uninstall apps. 

Several issues can impact an app’s user experience, including:

  • Slow loading speeds
  • Difficult to navigate (it takes too many clicks for users to find what they need)
  • Unnecessary log-in pages
  • Intrusive ads
  • Low-quality content
  • Boring design

An essential consideration for a good user experience? The user! Put yourself in their shoes when assessing the overall experience. The feedback you get from your MVP version can come in handy, too.  

5. Trying to Squeeze Too Many Features and Functions Into the App

Unique features and functions that serve a purpose for app users are great. Trying to squeeze in too many, however, can be detrimental. 

For one thing, the more features you add, the more expensive the project becomes. Excessive features can bog the app down, hindering its performance and ruining the user experience. The app can also become too large and require too much space on users’ phones.

When determining what features to add to an app, consider if they’re necessary first. Leave out the ones that don’t offer any value. If you start hearing a call for specific features from users, you can add and optimize them later. 

6. Building for Every Possible Platform

You might feel tempted to develop your app for every possible platform right out of the gate. After all, it’s a surefire way to attract more users.

But trying to tackle multiple platforms from the start could quickly destroy your budget. It can also be incredibly time-consuming. Instead, consider starting with one platform — basing your decision on market research — and expanding to others after your initial launch. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t develop an app for more than one platform to start. Make sure that you have a cross-platform strategy, though. For instance, you could use a single source code on a cross-platform app development tool to deploy on Android and iOS devices. 

7. Ignoring Feedback 

Feedback has come up a couple of times already. Listening to what your app users have to say is critical for building an app that they want to use. It’s about more than just listening, though. It’s also about using that feedback to improve your app with each update. Along with eliminating pain points for your users, using customer input lets them know you care. That’s one of the best ways to earn their loyalty. 

What happens if you don’t listen? User satisfaction decreases, and people start uninstalling your app in favor of something else.

8. Neglecting the Importance of Security

A recent survey found that 86% of developers don’t view security as a top priority when writing code. Half of the respondents also said they wouldn’t be able to guarantee their code to be safe from common vulnerabilities. 

Hackers don’t only attack websites. Some can reverse engineer mobile apps to inspect them while they work or capture communications between an app and server. They can also use code-based attacks to steal data, get around security checks, or compromise your app’s integrity. 

Prioritizing security is a must. One way to do this is with comprehensive mobile app protection with PreEmptive. Applying a layered approach, PreEmptive Protection uses obfuscation, encryption, tamper-proofing, and more to make your apps more difficult for potential hackers to exploit. It integrates seamlessly into your build process and requires no code changes. Best of all, it goes wherever your apps go. 

Avoid Common Mistakes for Better Apps People Love to Use

App development can be a time-intensive and sometimes frustrating process. Even the best developers make mistakes from time to time. Understanding the most common ones can help you avoid them or manage them more effectively if they do happen. 

If you’re looking for ways to make your apps more secure, PreEmptive is here to help. Visit our products page for more information about our app protection, or check out our resources to see what else we can do for you!