Currently, application security is a crucial issue that must be considered in the development and design of any application.
Security problems can be detrimental to users and to the company developing the application, as it can result in loss of data, theft of confidential information or even damage the company’s reputation.
At Yapiko we are going to explain the most common security problems in applications, how to avoid them and the tools and resources available to guarantee your security.
Why is application security important?
Security in applications is important because a large amount of personal and sensitive information is handled, from payment information to details of the user’s location.
If this information falls into the wrong hands, it can be used to commit fraud or even to steal the user’s identity. In addition, applications are vulnerable to a variety of threats, such as malware, phishing and other types of attacks.
Common security issues in applications
Security vulnerabilities in mobile applications
Mobile applications are particularly vulnerable to attacks due to the large amount of information they handle and the fact that they run on devices that are not always adequately protected. For example, attempts may be made to copy source code, or sensitive information may be hosted on unprotected devices and accessed by malware and users who should not have access.
Privacy issues in applications
Applications may collect personal data from users without their knowledge or consent.
Phishing attacks and malware in applications
Phishing attacks and malware can cause users to provide personal or confidential information without realising it. These attacks can also install malware on users’ devices.
Authentication and authorisation problems
Authentication and authorisation problems may allow an unauthorised user to access confidential information. This weakness is that the authentication and authorisation mechanisms are ineffective and allow an anonymous user to perform privileged actions for which he does not have permissions. That is, they bypass login protections or approval functions to perform certain actions.
Security problems in data transmission
The transmission of data over an unsecured network can be intercepted by a third party, which may expose the information to possible attacks.
How to avoid security problems in applications
Implement security measures in the design and development of the application.
From the beginning of the design and development process of an application, appropriate security measures must be implemented to prevent vulnerabilities and ensure the security of the application. As you build your application, make sure you understand whether encryption is correctly applied to the file locations relevant to your application, and also understand how encryption keys are protected and where they are stored. You can also fortify your code against tampering by implementing obfuscation, buffer overflow protection, etc. Finally, avoid caching data whenever possible.
Test the security of the application before launching it
Security testing is an important part of application development. Security testing allows for the identification and correction of potential vulnerabilities before the application is released to the public.
Keep the application up to date with the latest security fixes.
Security updates are essential to fix potential vulnerabilities and maintain the security of the application. To do this you can follow the operating system updates released by developers such as Google and Apple. It is also advisable to monitor known vulnerabilities and, if any are discovered, to fix them and release a security update for the app.
Inform and educate users about security risks and best practices.
It is important to inform and educate users about potential security risks and best practices for keeping their devices secure.
Tools and resources to ensure application security
- Mobile application security analysis tools: These tools allow the identification of potential vulnerabilities and risks in the application before it is released to the public. For example, Codified Security, simply by uploading the code of your application, it provides you with a detailed report highlighting the security risks. Another security analysis tool is Mobile Security Framework, which allows malware analysis, penetration testing, security assessment, etc.
- Application penetration testing tools: These tools simulate attacks and test the application’s resistance to these attacks.. Nessus has an extensive database of known vulnerabilities in various services has plugins that are run to obtain a list of the vulnerabilities that were identified.
- Mobile Application Security Resources: There are many resources available to ensure the security of mobile applications, such as security guides, documentation and discussion forums. Organisations such as OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) provide guidelines and checklists for the safe development of mobile applications. On the other hand, communities such as Reddit o Stack Overflow, allow mobile application developers to share experiences and discuss vulnerabilities and security fixes
Application security is essential to protect users’ confidential information and prevent potential threats. In Yapiko, as application developers, we take security seriously throughout the application design and development process and implement appropriate measures during all processes. Si tiene alguna duda sobre los procesos de seguridad que ponemos en marcha en Yapiko, póngase en contacto con nosotros y le ayudaremos.
