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Experts Guide: 9 Tips You Should Know About Mobile App Security |
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(source: Pixabay)
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Mobile devices have taken over laptops and computers. People shop, search, mail and read their mobile devices.
With so much reliance comes a big problem of app security.
App data protection has become a primary concern for most businesses. Whether you can trust an app or not depends upon the security measures it has taken and where it is available to download.
Those apps available on Google play store or Apple's app store are relatively safer as these brands do not allow any unauthorized developer to upload their app. In addition, developers employ code signing certificates with or without a timestamping facility to vouch for code integrity and engender customer trust.
So, amidst so many applications, how can you maintain data security?
We decided to go over nine tips that will help to remedy that. So, let us look:
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Before anything else, you need to protect your front door- your password. Since hackers can use brute force attacks to compromise passwords, it is best to use a complex mix of numbers, symbols, and letters.
Also, enter your password in both upper- and lower-case letters to make it tough to guess.
Moreover, avoid using the same password everywhere. Ensure that your internet banking app should not have the same password as your social media does.
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Gone are the days of websites. Instead, people are now relying on mobile applications for their day-to-day activities.
That is where the need for Secure Socket Layer certificate or an SSL for mobile applications has become prevalent.
For those who do not know what SSL is- it is a security protocol that encrypts the internet connection and creates a secure network to pass confidential data.
No hacker would see what conversation is going on between the app and its users.
SSL for apps has become more important than ever because of the rise in online payment systems and data sharing.
Customers share their confidential data, such as credit/debit card numbers, bank details, email addresses and phone numbers etc, with the app.
But, without any protection, that data can be intercepted.
So, if you are an app owner reading this article, we highly recommend you purchase SSL certificate today and secure your customer data from cybercriminals.
You can choose reliable SSL resellers or CAs as they provide authentic and cheap SSL certificates.
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VPN or Virtual Private Network can protect your data by disallowing snooping attempts from hackers.
While using public Wi-Fis, you never know who connected to the same. Therefore, it is tough to protect your data when connected to the same network.
That is why VPNs can be of significant help. They can block all attempts of any third party trying to sneak into your phone and see what you are surfing.
However, we would ill-advice you to use public Wi-Fi if you have better available mobile data options.
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Some malicious apps would require you more permissions than they need.
Experts advise you to monitor every application closely and see what permissions it asks you for.
Some apps ask for irrelevant permissions. For example, it isn't worth trusting if you download a calendar application asking you for your contacts and location.
Think about it rationally; what would a calendar do with your contact details and location?
So, never allow permissions randomly; some malicious apps can collect and sell your data on the dark web.
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People do not like giving themselves time to research an application before downloading it.
According to experts, this is a bad internet ethic. It can land you in trouble.
It is best to run the app through a Google search for app data protection purposes. For example, you can search its privacy policies and what people have to say about it.
Customers' reviews and ratings on Google also sum up a lot about an app. Also, see if the app has ever been a part of a scam or theft. If yes, then how did they deal with that?
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Every vigilant person knows how social media platforms ask you to enter your personal data.
But, if you do not have your brand featured on social media platforms, there is no need to share everything.
Social media platforms are always interested in your political, religious, and social beliefs because they can draft your advertisements from which you are most likely to buy.
You never know which social media platform can go rogue and share all your data on the dark web.
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Software update helps you stay one step ahead of hackers. Updating software is a costly affair.
Why would a software company wish to spend a hefty amount on something not even worth it?
They do it because software companies want you to stay safe from hackers; they send out security patches for codes that might be vulnerable to interception.
But most people think software updates are only there to eat up their storage space.
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Many people resort to downloading apps from unsolicited websites. But unfortunately, they are the ones who become victims of the trojan horse, malware, spyware, and ransomware attacks.
Experts advise against using any other source to download data than Google's play store and Apple's app store.
Though both these sources are not 100% safe, applications at least must maintain a security standard here.
It is not open source for anyone who wishes to develop an app and put it in the public domain for use. Study the developers before downloading any app from any source.
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App descriptions display how the app can help make your life easier and convenient. Before downloading any app, you must read the app description thoroughly.
It can show you what the app is all about, and whether or not it can serve the purpose, you are downloading it for.
But most people would first download the app and then see how It can help serve their purpose.
That is a lousy and rather dangerous way to interrogate an app.
Moreover, you must invest time in reading their privacy policy too. It will help tell you how committed they are to your data protection and safety.
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After reading all these nine points mentioned, you must have understood how app steal data if it is malicious.
As an internet user, you must be vigilant enough to see things through. You must be competent to penetrate that mask of goodness these apps show to make you download them.
By thorough research on Google, you can figure out what people are talking about such applications.
Read their privacy policy and descriptions carefully to know how they can serve you well. So, adhere to all these nine tips above and keep your data secure from cybercriminals.
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