From bank account passwords to personal information, almost all of our critical information is now saved on our cellphones.
Also, a typical smartphone user spends 90% of their overall time on mobile apps. There are almost 5 million mobile applications accessible on Google Play & the Apple Store combined.
By 2023, the overall number of mobile app downloads across all app stores (including Google Play) is predicted to reach 161 billion.
However, due to the increase in the quantity and use of mobile apps, much user data is generated daily. And, given how important data has grown in recent years, it should be unsurprising that all of this user data is at risk of being stolen or abused. Let’s take a closer look at the security of mobile apps and devices in 2023.
With the growing usage of mobile phones to purchase online and conduct internet banking activities, it’s important to remember these ten tips for keeping your phone and mobile applications safe from cybercriminals.
What’s Exactly A Cyber Attack?
Intentional theft of your network or system is a cyber assault. Cyberattacks use malicious code to violate your data. So, every mobile app development business must take measures to prevent cyber attacks.
The following are examples of common data breaches or cyber assaults:
- System infiltration
- Phishing, malware, spoofing, spamming
- Identity theft, extortion, fraud
- Denial-of-service
- Stolen hardware like mobile devices or laptops
- Password sniffing
- Trojans, spyware, viruses
- Breach of access
- Website defacement
- Instant messaging abuse
- Public/Private Web browser violation
- Intellectual property theft
These are some cyber attacks that can damage your data through mobile apps within a few seconds. Hence, all mobile app development companies and even users must pay attention to the below-given tips.
8 Ways to Defend Mobile Apps from Cyber Attacks
Check the Software you Install
Many mobile apps require access to your phone’s camera and images before they can be installed. If you don’t trust the app’s creator, it’s best not to install it because your phone will be susceptible to external hacking and critical data theft.
Ensure that the permissions granted are appropriate for the downloaded application’s purpose. You might not be able to modify this permission once the application has been installed.
Never Open Suspicious URLs
If you receive a message to tap on a URL in the next 15 minutes to win a prize or vacation, and the little voice in your head tells you it’s too good, it probably is not.
Do not open any links, even if they appear from a pal, and do not feel high to make hasty and perhaps dangerous decisions.
Never Use Modified Electronic Devices
It is possible to completely manage your device outside once restrictions set by the smartphone or electrical gadget manufacturer have been eliminated to enable the installation of illegal software (known as “jailbreaking” for iOS, “rooting” for Android).
Cybercriminals can use your mobile apps for illicit activity, such as cyber frauds or attacks without your knowledge.
Do not Use Free WiFi
Always ask the staff (hotel, restaurant, mall) the id of the official free WiFi while connecting to a free WiFi network or a public WiFi network.
Nearby cyber attackers can set up fake WiFi access points with network names that sound very similar to authentic ones, such as “C0ffeeshop” instead of “Coffee Shop.” Fake WiFi networks may request sensitive information like email addresses and passwords.
Never Make Sensitive transactions via Public WiFi Networks
Cybercriminals can use the WiFi network to intercept and encode sensitive personal information accessible via your mobile device if some mobile apps are incorrectly created or configured.
Some applications may not be fully vetted even when using a secure HTTPS connection. It allows a cyber attacker to intercept your online traffic via your mobile application servers.
Set PINs/ Fingerprint/ Face Recognition for Device Unlock
Set a mobile lock if you have not. Cybercriminals don’t always need to keep their phone to download harmful software. Three minutes of idle mobile device access is enough time to move your data to a different web drive.
Never Charge Your Mobile with Strangers
Your data collected by mobile applications can be transmitted to another phone without your awareness when you leave your phone to charge in public places. It is preferable to utilize a power bank rather than handing up your phone to strangers, even if they appear pleasant.
Use an Anti-malware Software
Installing an anti-malware application on your mobile device will allow you to securely delete your personal information once the device is turned on and online again if it is stolen.
Ensure Endpoint Protection
Endpoint protection safeguards networks connected to devices via a small bridge. Tablets, smartphones, and laptops attached to corporate networks provide security threats with access points. You must secure these routes with precise endpoints.
API Threat Protection
API Threat Protection technology provides enterprises with a simple install run-time protection solution that protects mobile apps, APIs, and the route between them against automated attacks.
This method effectively prevents attacks from being carried out, regardless of whether the vulnerabilities are already known or discovered through testing. Furthermore, for maximum device security, and may verify your app’s run-time safety and authenticity.
Some Last Words
When it comes to your mobile app security, think that all devices accessing the application are unsafe, and hackers can capture the data. It doesn’t necessarily indicate that you have to act paranoid, just act sensibly.
These tips will keep you on top of your security game, and you’ll be on the hunt for new ways to fortify your mobile application’s safety against the most frequent security flaws.
There are more techniques you can adopt to enhance the security of your mobile app. Still, these ten suggestions will provide you with a basic framework that you can apply to any company, regardless of its size. Along with it, you can take a look at various styles of mobiles covers 2023.
Author’s Bio
Erma Winter is an expert app developer at MobileCoderz, an established Best Mobile app development company. With more than 16 years of professional expertise, she has worked with different kinds of businesses. Apart from the app industry experience, she is an animal lover and volunteers for animal welfare programs.
