Five Main Mobile Application Security Challenges

Most of us use the internet, mobile phones and applications in on a day-to-day basis. Using mobile applications make it possible to do virtually anything, from playing games to purchasing stationeries and flight tickets to socializing. Lately, mobile apps have forayed into the financial segment and the banking industry, in which confidential information is exchanged.

A security violation in the app can cause theft of intellectual property and sensitive information, as well as deception. From the business level viewpoint, mobile application security that is not perfect could just disgruntle customers and tarnish their perception of your brand.

Device Fragmentation

App testing has to involve a wide range of devices whose limitations, features, and capabilities differ from one another. The act of identifying security vulnerabilities that are limited to smartphones or tablets, makes it difficult to carry out performance assessment. The team who tests the performance of applications cannot release beta versions as quickly as developers produce the apps. As a result of that, these vulnerabilities are delaying the process of releasing mobile applications. The vast majority of applications come with Windows, Android, and/or iOS operating systems. However, each OS version has its own set of security vulnerabilities. Therefore, it takes time to test each version of that application and figure out what it’s missing.

Automation Testing Tools for Mobile Applications

A fair and sensible approach towards device fragmentation needs automation testing to be used. However, conventional tools such as QuickTest, Professional, or Selenium were not designed after the cross-platform testing needs. Subsequently, mobile applications and web app have different automation testing tools. Several testing and test automation tools have come about, but we still lack completely developed ones which can help serve the needs for all steps of security testing. Appium, Ranorex, and Robotium are the standard tools used for automation testing.

Weak Hosting Controls

As they create their first-ever mobile apps, organizations tend to leave server-side systems unprotected, especially the ones that were once not accessible to external network users. The systems that host your application require security measures in order to keep unauthorized access of data from happening. This applies to your systems, and the third-party ones which are accessed by the application. The backend services must be safeguarded against any malicious attack. Therefore, you have to verify every application programming interface and use security methods. This helps confirm access just to those who are granted permission.

Weak Encryptions

Data can be accepted by an application from all sorts of sources. When there is insufficient encryption, attackers can alter inputs like environment variables and cookies. Hackers can avoid security mechanisms when authorization and authentication are decided on the basis of such inputs’ values. A few years ago, they used Starbucks user accounts to access and draw money from the credit cards linked to the company’s mobile application. The coffee chain later confirmed that their application contained usernames, passwords and email IDs in a clear text form. This enabled those having access to connect the mobile device to a computer, and thereby, see the usernames and passwords.

Insecure Storage of Data

In almost all popular applications, users just input their password when activating their application’s payment section and use the app repeatedly to pay for numerous products without re-entering their credentials. In these situations, email IDs, usernames and passwords have to be encrypted, plus user data has to be secure. For instance, a data security imperfection enabled hackers to open Skype and dial random numbers from a link inside of an email. Make applications in such a manner that contact details, credit card numbers, passwords and other important data will not reside in a mobile device. Otherwise, these pieces of information have to be stored in a way that keeps it from being harmed.

In almost all popular applications, users just input their password when activating their application’s payment section and use the app repeatedly to pay for numerous products without re-entering their credentials. In these situations, email IDs, usernames and passwords have to be encrypted, plus user data has to be secure. For instance, a data security imperfection enabled hackers to open Skype and dial random numbers from a link inside of an email. Make applications in such a manner that contact details, credit card numbers, passwords and other important data will not reside in a mobile device. Otherwise, these pieces of information have to be stored in a way that keeps it from being harmed.

• The way in which their app gets data and show it and the program accesses networks;
• The degree the device is exposed to the possibility of being stolen or lost.
• How effectively and securely the app is coded.

Organizations have to implement mobile strategies with great care to ensure that software developers will be able to consider unplanned complications of both application security and design. Delivering an intuitive application might decrease the brand value in the event your business’s or customer’s information is made vulnerable.