Best Software To Ensure Your Mobile Application Security

At this stage in the technology age, we’ve become accustomed to just how quickly the tools we use to connect online and with each other can evolve. Just a decade after the introduction of the very first iPhone, smartphones have become a way of life, paving the way for the popularization of tablets and the rise of mobile technology into the number one way consumers spend their time on the internet.

Yet, despite the widespread success of mobile devices, many apps still feature subpar and wholly insufficient security measures. Meanwhile, as developers neglect this risk of data leakage, hackers are concocting new and innovative ways to attack your code and, by extension, your users. New security issues are popping up all the time, and you cannot afford to ignore the threat they pose to your app. Because mobile application security is more needed now than ever before, we humbly present some of the best software you can use to safeguard your app.

Open-Source Solutions

While less experienced mobile developers may wish to opt for a commercial tool, veterans may be best served with an open-source system. They may not feature regular updates or technical support, but the freedom involved in open-source tools is undeniable. We recommend you proceed with caution. However, those of you up to the challenge should explore some of the following open-source software tools to punch up your security:

• Santoku:  This tool is a virtual machine with a wide variety of open-source tools to choose from, including those specifically tailored to mobile application security.

• Mobile Security Framework (MobSF): Available for both iOS and Android apps, this tool provides an automated penetration testing framework.

• Mitmproxy: For users looking to perform in-depth data inspection — including those transmissions exchanged between an app and backend services — this tool is for you.

• Drozer: Want to identify security vulnerabilities in Android apps and devices? This tool supports all that as well as the sharing of public exploits.

• Frida: With this one, an analyst can inject JavaScript snippets into native apps throughout a wide range of systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux and iOS.

• Radare: Reverse-engineering is one of the craftiest tactics used by hackers, but this tool can analyze and and inspect iOS and Android binaries to prevent disaster.

Automated Resources

More and more businesses are opting for automated solutions these days, and with so much to do and so little time to do it in, the appeal is clear. Why use your resources to see a task through to completion when the system itself can handle it independently? Moreover, automated tools can save countless hours and make the most of your resources, reducing human error and streamlining the entire process. Perhaps one of the best elements of your app that you can automate is its testing, since it can greatly shape so many facets of your app’s operation and security. Here are a few automated testing systems you can consider:

• Appium: This tool tests both Android and iOS applications and uses languages from throughout the WebDriver interface, including C#, Java and Ruby.

• UI Automator: This tool create functional Android UI test cases to interact with Android applications and has the ability to lock or unlock a mobile device.

• Robotium: Another Android-centered app, this one uses Java to conduct its tests and automates multiple activities and test cases in no time flat.

• Selendroid: One of the leaders in its field, this tool tests the UI of Android apps and supports the plugging of hardware devices.

• MonkeyTalk: Working with both iOS and Android apps, this tool can be run by even a non-technical operator and creates XML and HTML reports.

• Calabash: With this tool, programmers can have APIs that enable native apps to run on touch-screen mobile devices, and it uses languages like .NET, Ruby, Flex and Java.

We may be a little biased, but read below about our favorite automated software!

A Note About AppSolid

Naturally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also highlight our own service. AppSolid’s highly sophisticated service provide the comprehensive coverage you need to keep your app protected at all times. Although the coding is just as extensive and complex as you’d expect, the process itself encompasses three simple steps:

• Scan: First, our system runs a diagnostic on your app, and just a few seconds later, we’ll have detailed results regarding its vulnerability. From there, we craft a plan to take action and address your risk.

• Protect: AppSolid uses a binary protection system to establish the foundation that will keep hackers out of your code and your data safe from any malicious attack. Best of all, no additional coding is required, and the entire process takes only a few minutes.

• Track: With our system protecting you against attack, your app will be ready to act whenever anything suspicious occurs. Our real-time monitoring feature makes it a cinch to check the status of your security’s performance.

Admittedly, we’re biased in supporting AppSolid’s top-notch service, but feel free to reach out to us directly for more information on how you can try our product for yourself.

Moving Right Along

Which software works best for you will, of course, depend on your specific needs. However, the first step in fortifying your security strategy is to take stock of your options. The above list isn’t all-inclusive, but it does provide a solid starting point for you to assess what tools might befit your goals and the nature of your business. For instance, if your app deals extensively with sensitive data, you might opt for a more robust security option than you otherwise would.

No matter what you decide, the most essential element is that you place an enhanced effort on beefing up your mobile application security. Your customers log in to your each and every time implicitly trusting that you will take the steps necessary to protect their interests. Hopefully, with time, app security will be recognized as the priority it truly is. In fact, current trends indicate that this is already starting to be the case. Securing your app is an absolute necessity. Don’t waste another moment placing your business and your users at risk.