The excessive use of smartphones has led to a significant demand for innovative mobile apps. With millions and billions of users glued to their gadgets for a multitude of purposes, including shopping, banking, and investing, hackers are always finding ways to access your device and drain your hard-earned money.
Did you know?
Nearly 98% of mobile apps are not secured against potential malware threats while 75% of apps couldn’t even clear basic security tests.
Considering such alarming facts, businesses are going crazy over mobile app security!
Even in the current landscape, mobile apps generally lack essential security protocols which make them vulnerable to users and developers.
Don’t worry; this post will discuss;
- What is Mobile App Security?
- Types of Mobile App Security
- Reasons to Prioritize Mobile App Security
- Ways to Protect Your Mobile App
Let’s dive in!
Understanding Mobile App Security
To put it simply, mobile app refers to the measure of securing mobile applications from a multitude of external threats like malware, unwanted bugs, hacking or other criminal manipulations. If you don’t implement any kind of security measures, your app might run into the risk of disclosing the financial and personal information of the customers.
App security is a kind of specialized field which helps prevent and resolve issues related to mobile apps. The kind of attacks may include privacy protection malware protection and other security measures.
Since mobile app security is of utmost importance, many businesses overlook the aspect and run into challenges later.
Well, the facts don’t lie! Let’s take a look at the facts that show the importance of mobile app security.
Important Facts & Statistics Related to Mobile App Security
- Nearly 60% of companies have reported data breaches due to an unsecured mobile app.
- Less than 30% of apps are tested for vulnerabilities.
- Nearly 1 in 4 mobile apps includes a high-risk security loophole.
Types of Mobile App Security
Speaking of mobile app security, there are two types.
Application Security Testing
It is the first and foremost kind of app testing which looks out for vulnerabilities and determines whether any threat is available or not. However, this kind of testing doesn’t assure you that the app is 100% secure. Furthermore, this testing aspect can be done by either developers or via tools.
Application Security Monitoring
This kind of testing includes activities related to authentication, encryption, authorization, and logging. When you consider this kind of testing, you can know what is happening with your apps and you can identify the risks and eliminate them.
Top 5 Reasons for Prioritizing Mobile App Security
Here is a list of the potential benefits of prioritizing mobile app security.
#1. Enhanced Theft Protection
One of the major reasons to embrace mobile app security is that it helps protect sensitive user information, including identifying data, login credentials, financial information, and other private information. Ensure you implement robust security measures such as secure storage and encrypted data to prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches. If you don’t have time to do so, hire the best mobile app development company to build a robust and secure app.
#2. Improved Privacy of Personal Media
It is no secret that users often keep their media files like images, videos, collages, voice recordings, and more on their smartphones. If any hacker tries to access your customer’s smartphone, then they can easily blackmail or embarrass them and even demand money in return. This is where the importance of mobile app security comes in! Implementing robust security measures is important to ensure personal communication is secured and media files are hidden from intruders.
#3. Prevent Breaches on a Large Scale
You might have heard somewhere in the past or just recently about data breaches where millions and millions of data were stolen. This confidential information is then sent to the “Dark Web” which leads to illegal activities like phishing, blackmailing, scamming, and so on. When your app is built with industry-led security compliances, there are higher chances of preventing data breaches in case of such massive outbreaks.
#4. Protection Against Hardware Hijacking
Since mobile devices are getting more advanced each day, they are likely to be equipped with powerful AI features. This is where the problem lies! These kinds of smartphones become spying tools for hackers to control them remotely. They can record and transmit audio and video data and use it for their benefit. Implementation of app security measures can prevent attacks and recognize infected files to inform users in advance.
#5. Regulatory Compliance
It is no secret that mobile apps generally handle complex mobile data and there are certain guidelines and regulations to be taken care of. When you implement mobile app security measures and adhere to guidelines like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), you can prevent legal penalties for the app.
Tips to Keep Your App’s Security Intact
Listed below are the tips to keep your mobile app security intact.
- Ensure you efficiently leverage SDK (Software development Kit) for your mobile app security.
- Always use the right authentication technique to protect the user’s identity and password.
- Leverage hash algorithms and encryption for securing the data in a mobile app.
- Utilize secure web services, coding practices, and seamless communication to protect your data.
- It is advisable to store your passwords in share preferences as they are more secure than local storage.
Final Thoughts
So, the post concludes with the reasons to prioritize mobile app security! Remember that implementing robust security measures in your app may ensure that it is safe from hackers and malware attacks. But it’s not a cakewalk to incorporate the right tech stack and relevant measures.
If you don’t have enough time or expertise to make your app secure, look no further than Mobile App Experts! We are a leading mobile app development company in the UK that efficiently leverages the latest tech stack and methodologies to not only build but secure your app to make it customer-friendly.
Ready to build and secure your mobile app with Mobile App Experts? Contact us at +44 (744) 026- 1268 or mail your app development requirements to hello@mobileappexperts.co.uk today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is mobile security?
Mobile security means protecting the information on and sent by your mobile devices, like phones and tablets, from unauthorized access.
2. Is my Android phone secure?
Yes, your Android phone has built-in security that constantly works to protect you from new threats every day.
3. How does mobile app security work?
Mobile app security detects, stops, and reports attacks. If needed, it can completely shut down the app to protect your data and transactions from powerful attacks.
4. What security techniques are used in mobile apps?
To secure mobile apps, teams can:
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Secure the software supply chain
- Protect data
- Manage sessions safely
- Apply the principle of least privilege
- Update their testing strategy
- Use app shielding