Mobile apps are used daily by millions of people worldwide. Not only are these apps convenient, but they can also be very helpful in everyday life. However, while the convenience and functionality of mobile apps is undeniable, it’s also undeniable that mobile security can be improved upon. Whether you’re an app developer, company owner or avid user, the tips in this article can help to ensure that your mobile application security improves significantly, ensuring that both your personal information and your company’s information stays private and secure at all times.

Read More here - https://customerthink.com/7-mobile-application-security-tips-to-improve-the-device-safety/

1) Passwords

There are several types of passwords, but most people simply use their device passcode. Unfortunately, it’s usually not complex enough and can be cracked in minutes with brute force attacks. A strong password will include at least 16 characters, made up of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. There is no need to memorize them—there are plenty of apps that can help you create long passwords that are easy to access with just a tap or click on your phone or tablet screen. Use those from now on—it could save you from a major security breach.

2) Two Factor Authentication

There are a lot of different authentication methods out there, but most experts agree that two-factor authentication is one of, if not THE most secure. It's also something you should be using with every account and website you use. Essentially, it uses your login information in combination with another credential — usually a code sent to your phone — in order to gain access to an account. If someone were able to steal or otherwise get a hold of your password for a site you visit often, they would still need physical access to your device (or at least some highly sophisticated hacking skills) in order gain access to any information on it.

3) Reasonable Data Retention

One of most common security issues with mobile apps is unauthorized access. It's really easy for an app developer or team to collect too much data, especially personal data like credit card information and usernames and passwords. The thing is, with so many apps out there collecting your info, it's only a matter of time before someone gets hacked or loses their server backup or has some other kind of data corruption that puts all that private information in jeopardy. To avoid that sort of risk, enforce reasonable retention periods on all stored personal and/or sensitive user data. If your application will only need a piece of sensitive information for limited periods of time, make sure it doesn't hang onto it any longer than necessary.

4) Protect Sensitive Information

A phone has an enormous amount of sensitive information (including credit card and Social Security numbers) and needs to be protected accordingly. To protect sensitive information, make sure that your phone is encrypted and enabled with biometric or PIN-based authentication. A good way to ensure your device is both secure and functional is by downloading a security application such as Lookout (free for iOS, Android, BlackBerry). The app provides anti-theft protection as well as antivirus and anti-malware software. Additionally, Lookout can track location of a lost or stolen device; its suite of services includes locating devices via GPS tracking/tracing and locks down all personal data remotely so only you can access it again once you get your phone back.

5) Secure Passwords

Creating a password that’s strong enough to keep your data safe is vital, but it’s not always easy. As an application developer, you have two major responsibilities when it comes to security: make sure your own systems are secure and make sure you design them in such a way that they do not put user information at risk. If your program does store passwords for users, you should ensure that passwords are stored securely and kept away from prying eyes by using encryption techniques. It’s also good practice to implement password-change functionality so users can easily update their passwords if they feel there may be an issue.

6) Regularly Update the Application's Codebase

Once your app is live, you’ll want to add new features and fix bugs. This should be done in a timely manner so that you can maintain users' trust and stay on top of security threats. Keep up with these updates by updating your codebase regularly and keeping all developer platforms current. The faster you're able to take advantage of patches and fixes, and implement them into your app, the more secure it will be.

7) Avoid Putting Unnecessary Permissions

There are certain permissions that make sense for some apps, like GPS or Wi-Fi. These apps need these permissions in order to function properly. However, other requests, such as add or remove accounts can be problematic if not controlled properly. The risk is clear; if your mobile app has access to sensitive information like that of your Google account, then anyone who breaks into your phone (or buys it used on Craigslist) may gain access to even more information than they should have had access to in the first place. If you’re looking for inspiration on how you can keep data protected and keep unwanted users out, here are a few options: Give users a choice about which permissions they want and don’t want before downloading an app.

Conclusion

With smartphones and tablets becoming an integral part of our lives, it’s time to start understanding how our data is being accessed. By implementing these simple tips, you can rest assured that your device is safe. So go ahead, open up that app! You have nothing to fear now. Just remember security first! If you want to hire mobile app developers team, then feel free to connect with us today and enjoy the professional services.