The security of an application that you are developing is a bare necessity. Even a single breach in the application can cause create havoc for your work and create a bad name for you as a developer. Security of the application should be the topmost priority for any developer since the starting of the first line of code.
Write a secure code
If your code is vulnerable and has bugs, then many attackers will be easily be able to enter into an application stealthily. A hacker can reverse engineer the code and tamper with it, they will need a public copy of your application to do the same. Studies and researches have shown that malicious code is affecting over 11.6 million of mobile devices everywhere.
Minify and obfuscate your code so that it cannot be reversed engineered. Run your application through tests time and again to fix the bugs once they are exposed to you. Design your code yourself so that it is easy to adjust and patch. Also, use code signing and code hardening.
Encrypt all data
The entire data, even thing that is exchanged over your application must be encrypted. For those who do not know about the term encryption, basically it is just the scrambling of the plain text that converts a word into a vague alphabet soup that does not hold any meaning for anybody else except for the one who have the key.
Be extra cautious with the libraries
When you are using the third-party applications then you must be careful about the code that you are using for the application. Some libraries are extremely insecure for the working of the application.
Use only the authorized API’s
API’s that are loosely coded can grant a hacker privileges that can be used mischievously. For example; if you cache the authorization information then it will easily help the programmers to use the information for making all the API calls. It will also the make the life of the coders easier by making the easy use of the APIs. However, it gives them a loophole through which they can Hijack the privileges.
Use the authentication of a really high level
Some of the biggest security breaches have occurred due to the weak authentication factor. You would not want it to ruin everything for you. Authentication means personal identifiers and the passwords that will act as the barrier for the entry. This depends upon the users of the application and even the developers must educate the users about the importance of the high-level authentication.
If you are a developer then you must design your application as such that it does must not accept any password except for a strong alphanumeric password. A password that you set must be renewed after three or six months. With time the multi-factor authentication has gained prominence as it not so easy to crack. It works on two factor authentication; it requires static password and a dynamic OTP.
If the application is too sensitive then bio-metric authentication which includes fingerprints and retina scanning must be used.
Use the temper detection technologies
These techniques are used to set off the alarms in case if someone tries to tamper the code or wants to inject any malicious code. With active temper detention you can make sure that the code will not be functional if it is once modified.
Make proper sessions for handling
The sessions on your mobile phone must last longer than the desktops. It will make the handling session harder for the server. Prefer using the tokens instead of the device identifiers when you are identifying a session. Tokens can be easily revoked at any time which will make them a more secure when you talk about the stolen devices. Enable the remote wiping of the stolen device and the remote log-off.
Do the tests repeatedly
The process of testing the security apps is unending. New threats emerge every now and then and for the digitally derived world quick solutions are needed. You must invest in threat modelling, penetration testing and make use of the emulators to know and understand the vulnerabilities of an application. Fix all the bugs and patch the issues that come along with it.
Use the best cryptography tools and techniques
Key management is important if you want your encryption efforts to pay off. You must never hardcode the keys as it becomes easy for the attackers to steal them all. You need to store the keys in the secure containers and avoid storing them locally on the device.
If you are taking all the crucial steps and running all the necessary tests, then the application users will not face any issues and who knows your application might top the list of the trending and secure mobile applications.
Author Bio: I am David M. Herd working as a Marketing Manager at eSaiTech Inc. eSaiTech is an online store selling various hardware, peripheral devices & you can Buy security products online from various biggest brands like hp, dell, Juniper, Hewlett, Samsung etc at attractive prices.
Originally published at https://www.desnav.com on May 22, 2019.
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