Around 75% of mobile apps will fail basic security tests by the end of 2024.
More than 2/3rd of big businesses have experienced mobile security breaches. The annual cost of a security breach can approach $3 million. Globally, the approximate annual cost of mobile cyber intrusions is $50 billion, and this figure is rising each year.
This means that although mobile applications are widely used, there may be security concerns with them. In contrast to online applications, mobile applications play a critical role in security for both the device and the application because of the growing threat of cyberattacks.
Mobile app pentesting services, also known as mobile application penetration testing, is a preventative security approach to find and fix vulnerabilities before malevolent actors take advantage of them.
These preventative security methods, which are employed in mobile application penetration testing, include automated tools.
What exactly is Mobile App Pentesting?
They find and take advantage of security flaws or incorrect setups in applications created for iOS, Android, and other platforms.
Mobile app pen tests uncover security vulnerabilities that impact the architecture of mobile apps and provide you with useful information for incorporating security features into your SDLC.
The best approach to ensure that end user data is secure and your reputation is protected is to conduct mobile application penetration testing.
To find vulnerabilities, the mobile application penetration testing technique uses a strict approach. Expert mobile app pentesting services analyze code, architecture, data storage, network connectivity, and authentication procedures using a combination of static and dynamic analysis methodologies.
Mobile App Categories for Pentesting
Pen testing for mobile apps is applicable to a variety of app types:
- Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): These online applications work similarly to native apps and include benefits including offline functionality and simple updates.
- Native applications are designed exclusively for one platform (iOS or Android) and have the highest potential for security and performance.
- Hybrid applications combine web technology and native features. They are compatible with several platforms but may have some functional or performance constraints when compared to native apps.
Benefits and Uses
Compliance is a major issue. To stay in compliance with the GDPR, your app must undergo mobile application penetration testing if it gathers or uses data belonging to UK or EU persons.
Another crucial component of a secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) is regular mobile app pen testing.
Let’s discuss in detail…
Comprehensive Security Evaluation
Get a comprehensive evaluation of the security posture of your app. Examine your mobile app’s and its related API endpoints’ security from all angles.
Assurance of Compliance
Make that your mobile app conforms with all applicable industry standards, including PCI DSS, GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA. Defend your company from possible fines and legal repercussions.
Mitigation of Risk
Prior to a vulnerability being exploited, proactively discover and fix it. Cut down on the possibility of financial losses, reputational harm, and data breaches.
Boost User Trust
Users are more likely to trust your mobile application—and your company—when you show that you are committed to security.
4 Common Weaknesses in Mobile Apps
4 prevalent flaws in mobile apps are highlighted by the experts and are carefully examined during penetration testing:
1. Inappropriate Use of Credentials
The majority of mobile applications require the secure storage of sessions and credentials since they require user accounts or authentication. Insecure secret storage, hardcoding, and misconfigurations can all provide attackers access to user accounts and data.
2. Inadequate Input/Output Validation
SQL injection and unsecured deserialization are only two examples of the many vulnerabilities that can affect mobile applications. Because of this, it is essential that all input and output be thoroughly cleaned, screened, and verified before being used.
3. Insecure Communication
In order to prevent sensitive information from being intercepted by eavesdroppers, all data sent and received by mobile applications must do so over secure, encrypted channels and the most recent recommended safe protocols.
More delicate apps, like those for banking and healthcare, will additionally require the use of techniques like TLS certificate pinning to make sure that, even when operating in an unsecure environment, the application’s transport security is maintained.
4. Inadequate Supply Chain Security
Most contemporary software is dependent on numerous third-party libraries and pre-existing frameworks rather than being created entirely from scratch.
These may introduce security flaws into the program, leading to the shipping of official builds that are known to be vulnerable.
If Required, Modify the Mobile Application’s Components & Network Architecture
You may find security flaws in mobile applications through security testing that could result in significant security breaches after the application launches.
Before releasing the mobile app, you can alter the architecture, design, and code if you are aware of attack vectors, bottlenecks, security gaps, and source code problems.
Resolving problems now is less expensive than dealing with them later, when you find that the application’s architecture is defective or there is a breach. At this point, the price will include legal, public relations, and other costs in addition to technical problems.
Things To Think About Before Testing the Security of Mobile Apps
Pen testing for mobile apps is more than just pressing buttons. Prior to beginning, think about these five important areas:
- Code and Configuration: Look for potentially exploitable coding mistakes and misconfigurations.
- App Design and Architecture: Look for any potential security flaws in the app’s design.
- Data Storage: Make sure that private information is protected and kept safe.
- Network Traffic: Evaluate the app’s network communication, particularly on open Wi-Fi.
- Authentication: Assess the robustness of session management and login protocols.
Lastly, Check How Responsive Your Company’s IT Staff Is
You may assess how responsive your company security team is by implementing mobile app security testing as a part of a mobile project and app development process. The experts can verify response time, response quality, and reaction accuracy.
There is a problem with the process that has to be fixed if the security team does not respond appropriately. Alternatively, they can evaluate the caliber of this service if the help is provided by an outside party.
More information, get help from expert mobile app pentesting services today.
