Today, nobody can imagine his/her life without applications. In some way or the other, mobile apps have become an integral part of our lives, so application security has gained immense importance over the years. 

When scanned initially, 83% of apps were found to have some bugs and flaws. This number is alarming as it puts customer’s and app’s data at high risk. 

As a developer, you must avoid such flaws to build trust and credibility among your customers.  

But, how will you do that?

Well, by following ten simple and best practices for app security mentioned below:

1. Use Strong Passwords

Usage of strong passwords not only helps you as a developer to build a robust app but also does a world of good for your customers as well. 

A strong password must be a blend of numbers and alphabets. Do not think you can use “abc123” as your password and get away with it. 

Use special characters like “_” to make it complicated. Also, use both upper- and lower-case letters to trick hackers. 

An app with a strong password is always challenging for hackers. 

2. Use Strong Codes

The strength of your codes determines the overall mobile app security standards of your business. 

Hackers generally break into an application by figuring out vulnerabilities in the codes and creating a copy of your software. 

Strong codes will prevent hackers from creating exact copies and break into the application infrastructure. 

Chuck out modules that your app does not need to figure out the time for script execution, figure out where the session info is, server security standards, extend remote codes and manage the application’s traffic to strengthen your coding infrastructure. 

3. Get a Code Signing Certificate

A cheap code signing certificate helps you to authenticate your code and vouches for its integrity, standing testimony to the fact that no third-party has interfered with the code.  

Moreover, when a customer sees the developer’s name and identity proof on the app, he feels safe and gets drawn into using it. 

So, get a code signing certificate for your app if you have not already. 

4. Don’t Trust External Libraries Blindly.

App development can get a bit taxing which is why developers resort to third-party libraries for codes. 

Importing external libraries helps developers develop an app within less time but comes with a price. 

Third-party libraries are not entirely in a developer’s hand. Hackers can manipulate them and use firmware to inject malicious codes that would eventually cause trouble. 

The best way to avoid any atrocity is by creating a series of checkpoints within the codes.

Also, you can alter the names and methods of the class to make manipulation taxing for hackers. 

5. Use Trusted API’s Only

While using third-party libraries, developers tend to use non-central unauthorized APIs, making hacking easy for cybercriminals. 

Although APIs minimize the development task and help you take the desired action smoothly, it can become an easy medium for hackers to exploit the application. 

Developers sometimes cache the authorized codes, which can prove to be fatal for the app. 

Employing lousy API results in creating a lousy application that is neither good for your reputation nor your customer. 

Thus, we recommend you use a centrally authorized API for your app. 

6. Create a Robust Authentication Process

The authentication process proves to be a make-or-break factor in the world of cybersecurity. 

Whether it is a best SSL certificate or app development, authentication should be as strong as a rock. 

Authentication is the reason why today, people use two-factor authentication through OTP and passwords both. 

In 2021, if you want to develop a secure application, multi-factor authentication is a must for passwords and passcodes. 

It will not only provide a safe customer experience, but customers will value you for maintaining such a robust security system for your application. 

7. Devote Time for Testing and Upgradation

Application development is not a one-time process. It needs constant look after in the form of testing. 

As a developer, you must run testing sessions regularly to ensure that your robust coding techniques do not get outdated. 

The above-mentioned application security tips will be useful hopefully as application security is a constant monitoring task which is required to fix vulnerabilities and bugs.

It would be best if you found loopholes before the hackers do and patch them with security updates. 

Hackers can leave a robust and secure application in tatters if not tended from time to time. 

8. Beware of the Platform Limitations

Every platform is different. They have distinct advantages and disadvantages. As a developer, you need first to answer a simple question.

“Do I have the necessary skills to develop an application for this platform?” If the answer is “Yes,” then go for it, but if it’s “No,” it is better to take the required training. 

We said that because every platform poses a different challenge in front of a developer. 

He must know exactly what he needs to do and what his goals are. He must be aware of the security threats that a particular platform faces and how to solve them. 

9. Run Pen Tests

Pen tests or Penetration testing facilitate automated tools to figure out loopholes in a well-coded script. 

It helps developers in figuring out where exactly they need a security patch. Pen tests figure out what a hacker would try to target and do to break into an application. 

You can also contact hacking companies and ask them to break into your system to help you figure out where he needs to work. 

If you want to make it a less costly affair, then you can also hire freelance hackers to do the job. 

It is better to hire a white-hat hacker to hack into your application rather than allowing a black hat hacker to do that with your application. 

10. Create App Permissions Carefully

In 2021, data sharing is one of the most common things people do with applications, so a developer needs to develop a secure communication gateway. 

To establish communication, a developer needs to create permissions to allow apps to share data. 

Signature-based permissions are the best ways a developer can adopt to help an app protect itself against firmware. 

All you needed to ensure is that the communication between two apps must happen using the same signature sign-in keys. 

To Conclude

Developing an application in 2021 is not a fluke. 

With cybercrimes mounting by the day and hackers becoming more advanced, it is essential to buff the app with robust security measures. 

So, follow these ten security tips to develop a robust and secure app for your customers.