According to Check Point’s Mobile Security Report 2021, almost every organization experienced a mobile-related attack. Most network-based attacks either aim to steal the victim’s credentials via phishing to masquerade as the victim later on, or they consist of malware command and control communications from an infected device.

As a mobile app developer, it’s essential to be aware of the different mobile attack surfaces that are out there. By understanding these attack surfaces, you can take steps to protect your app from potential attacks.

Below, we discuss five mobile attack surfaces that every app owner should know about.

Mobile App Integrity

When hackers attack a mobile app’s integrity, they are usually interested in one of three things: acquiring identity keys, extracting information, or transforming the app into an attack tool. However, there are steps that developers can take to protect the integrity of their applications. By implementing security controls such as encryption and authentication, developers can make it much more difficult for hackers to succeed.

API Channel Integrity

One of the biggest dangers when it comes to APIs is channel integrity. When you’re connecting to an API over a public Wi-Fi connection, there’s a risk that a third party could intercept your data. That’s why it’s essential to use a protocol like TSL/SSL to encrypt your data. But even that isn’t always enough. Sophisticated criminals can use man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack tools to create fake servers that intercept your data. So how do you protect your app? The best defense is a multi-layered approach that includes encryption and user education. By teaching your users about the dangers of public Wi-Fi and how to spot fake servers, you can help mitigate the risk of API attacks.

Device Integrity

One way that criminals bypass device security is by rooting or jailbreaking the device. This gives them access to the underlying operating system, which criminals can then use to install malicious software or perform other unauthorized actions. Another way that criminals exploit mobile devices is by code tampering. This involves modifying legitimate code to introduce security vulnerabilities. To defend against these threats, organizations can use runtime self-defense code, mobile monitoring and defense tools, and build apps to run on the latest versions of operating systems. By taking these steps, they can help to reduce the mobile attack surface and protect their data from sophisticated attacks.

User Credentials

The mobile attack surface isn’t just limited to devices and apps. User credentials are also at risk. Attackers can use phishing attacks to obtain user credentials, or they can purchase them on the dark web. Once they have access to a user’s account, they can gain access to sensitive data or perform other malicious actions. To protect against these threats, organizations can implement two-factor authentication and use credential management tools to help keep user credentials safe.

API and Service Vulnerabilities

APIs and services are often the targets of attacks because they provide access to sensitive data. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in APIs to gain access to this data or perform other malicious actions such as Denial of Service (DOS) and login system attacks. To protect against these threats, organizations can implement security controls such as rate limiting and API keys.

Expeed has a team of mobile development experts to help you secure your mobile application. Contact us today to learn more about our mobile app development services.