How to effectively protect your application against cyberattacks?

The smartphone has become our everyday companion, assisting us in both our personal and professional lives. The security of mobile applications is a central concern for stakeholders. This concern is all the more legitimate given that the average smartphone hosts more than 80 applications, even if only a few of them are used daily (*1). In any case, these digital platforms are highly vulnerable to cyberattacks because they accumulate a significant amount of sensitive data.

Understanding existing risks allows for better anticipation of cyberattacks and effective protection of your mobile application and its users.

Digital Attacks: What threats loom over your application?

It is important to emphasize that threats to applications evolve with the advancement of technology. In 2023, the cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab recorded nearly 33.8 million attacks against mobile devices, an increase of 50% compared to the previous year. Adware accounted for 40.8% of all threats detected (*2). Other forms of digital attacks should also be reviewed:

Exploitation of security vulnerabilities

Malicious entities explore vulnerabilities at the server and user's mobile device level to gain illicit entry. Lack of API security, user authentication, and poor authorization management are the most common risks.

Corrupted codes

Digital hackers can corrupt your application's code, disrupt its configuration, or introduce elements that could compromise its integrity. On-the-fly modification of source code or SQL injections pose a significant risk to application users.

‍

‍

Intrusion and data theft

When cyber attackers detect a security vulnerability, such as a weak data encryption protocol, they exploit it to infiltrate the system by disrupting the network or hijacking sessions and gaining access to confidential information. This occurs when developers overlook up-to-date and robust protocols such as HTTPS for communication with backend servers.

Phishing

This technique, commonly used by hackers, consists of sending enticing messages to users in the form of push notifications, advertisements, or emails. Unaware of the deceptive nature of these calls to action, users instinctively click on these messages, install fake applications, or deliberately disclose their personal data.  

Regardless of the maneuver used by malicious entities, their objective generally consists of circumventing or weakening the security measures in place, illegally accessing and exploiting sensitive data, or altering the application's functionalities.

‍

What are the consequences of a cyberattack?

Digital intrusions have serious consequences, both for application owners and their customers.

An impact on application owners

When a mobile application encounters malfunctions or when user data theft is detected, the company owning the application may face serious repercussions such as paralysis of activities, reduced productivity. Situations that lead to a loss of credibility with users, resulting in a decrease in the engagement rate; mass uninstallations or a decrease in the number of downloads.

And when the incident escalates, the company or developer may be subject to legal or financial penalties for failing to comply with user data protection laws. The financial damages can also be enormous in trying to repair the damage.

Repercussions on end users

Application clients suffer the most damage when the digital platform they have downloaded is subject to a cyberattack. When an application's services are targeted by an intrusion aimed at altering data, the user can lose a large part or all of the information stored on their device.

Even worse. By intercepting the customer's login details and accessing their personal space, hackers can get their hands on a large amount of confidential information about their identity or banking information. The criminals can then exploit this data to carry out fraudulent acts in the name of the legitimate account holder.

How to protect your application against cyberattacks?

Although there is no magic formula to definitively eradicate the risk of digital attacks, you can still adopt the best strategies to strengthen the security of your mobile application and your customers. These security approaches are based on a few key points:

Strengthening authentication methods

This strategy consists of implementing robust authentication rules, namely strong passwords, two-factor authentication which involves the use of biometric systems, QR codes, facial identifications, or OTP (One-Time Password) via SMS.

‍

Optimization of access control

Most application features today require user authorization to access their data. Awareness of best practices regarding the granting of these special permissions is important, as is the transparency of information on the use of user data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (*3).

Data protection

This measure is essentially based on the encryption of sensitive data (personal information, authentication data, messages, images, banking transactions, documentation and other intellectual property, etc.) to ensure the security and integrity thereof. This also implies enhanced security of the application's API.

The use of app builders

To minimize the risks associated with manual coding errors that can be exploited by hackers, many companies are currently turning to automated development solutions and are using no-code app builders. These platforms offer integrated security systems, in addition to automatic updates of security modules to protect you from potential attacks without having to mobilize an entire team of specialists to maintain your application.  

Sources:

1. Mobile App Market: +83% Downloads in 5 Years - Goodbarber
2. Attacks against mobile devices increased significantly in 2023 - Kaspersky
3. The six main principles of GDPR - CNIL