Mobile App Vulnerabilities You Should Keep In Mind

Although the incredible rise of mobile phone technology has revolutionised communications, it has also brought about massive security challenges.

One of the most common ways hackers look to penetrate is through mobile phone applications. This means that these apps should have greater security mechanisms. However, according to a report, 80 percent of mobile apps have got crypto flaws.   

Protecting mobile apps has become a key priority for businesses. Here are some of the top mobile app vulnerabilities:

Insecure Data Storage

Good data storage habits are crucial to a mobile application’s success. Inexperienced app developers have this tendency to store files in the XML format, which is quite easy to breach.

It is very important that the app’s data be stored in secure data bases, such as SQLite. What’s more, there should be greater encryption at both device and external levels.

Weak Transport Layer Protection

The app might require connecting to a 3rd party source. A common mistake that developers make is not making these connections encrypted. Strong algorithms should be used to ensure robust transport layer protection.

The app should be programmed to display a warning message if the user is about to enter unknown territory.

Unauthorised Access

Unauthorised access is a common vulnerability when it comes to mobile apps. To tackle this, you should educate users about restricting access. For instance, they should be cautious when providing unnecessary access to their mobile phone’s data.    

It is not just the Android apps that have this problem. A mobile application, named Path, was an incredible socialising app that offered good user-interface. Later, it was found out that Path took entire contact lists of phones to its servers. What’s more, it did this without asking permission.

Data Leaks as a Result of Syncing

Latest mobile applications require data to be synced to the cloud. This is a concern as data leaks might occur during the process.

Recently Dropbox received a major setback when it encountered a password breach. Luckily, not much damage was done. Some of the users received spams.

Malware Attacks

Malware has been a consistent issue in mobile phone applications. Malware is broken down into pieces so that it becomes difficult to detect. These attackers use names of popular apps to lure users into downloading them.   

There have been efforts to protect apps from different types of malware. For instance, Google uses Google Bouncer to safeguard its apps from malware attacks.    

We at Lean Security provide robust mobile application security testing. From mobile client assessment to network assessment, our comprehensive application security testing procedure ensures complete security of mobile apps.   

5 Trends to Watch Out For in Cyber Security!

From Cloudbleed to WannaCry, 2017 has already had its fair share of security breaches. With modern, sophisticated tactics employed by cyber criminals, it will take a lot to make the online world a safer place.

As these hackers have enhanced their armoury with specialised attacks, the good guys have a lot to catch up with.

Here’s what we can expect in the landscape of cyber security:

There will be More Attacks on Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

The interconnectedness of different tech devices has been revolutionary. However, it has also brought about security risks.

These devices have constantly been a subject of ransomware and DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.

The latest AI-powered attacks are so sophisticated that it becomes difficult for security professionals to detect them. The need for enhanced security has never been more important.

Ransomware Will Continue to Evolve

Over the past few years, ransomware has become the most important tool for hackers. They will continue to work on them and enhance the effectiveness of these attacks.

They will not only keep targeting the IoT devices, they will also try to infiltrate Point of Sales (POS) systems and ATMs.

What’s more, ransomware will be utilised to craft effective phishing attacks.  

There Will Be Greater Threats to Mobile Security

With more and more people moving towards mobile, the platform is surely expected to be exploited. There is an increased amount of crucial corporate information on employees’ mobile devices and cyber criminals would love to get hold of them.  

From malware to propagation of unauthorised apps, mobile devices will be chief targets for hackers.

Security Skills Will Become Crucial

Recently, there is an overall global shortage of cyber security skills in the workplace. This gap between supply and demand will continue to rise.

Organisations will value security skills more as advanced systems will need advanced security expertise. They might focus on providing internal training for these skills.   

Data Theft Won’t Suffice – Data Manipulation Will Be the Target

Hackers have largely focused on data theft and using this data to their advantage. However, this trend will change and they will move towards harming the integrity of data.

By using advanced mechanisms, they will look towards causing reputational damage by manipulating data.

This will mean that companies and organisations will need to enhance their security procedures as there will be more at stake.

We at Lean Security aim to enhance web security across different platforms and devices. From mobile application security testing to web security testing, we provide all kinds of online security services to ensure that your company stays safe in the digital landscape.   

From Cloudbleed to WannaCry, 2017 has already had its fair share of security breaches. With modern, sophisticated tactics employed by cyber criminals, it will take a lot to make the online world a safer place.

As these hackers have enhanced their armoury with specialised attacks, the good guys have a lot to catch up with.

Here’s what we can expect in the landscape of cyber security:

There will be More Attacks on Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

The interconnectedness of different tech devices has been revolutionary. However, it has also brought about security risks.

These devices have constantly been a subject of ransomware and DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.

The latest AI-powered attacks are so sophisticated that it becomes difficult for security professionals to detect them. The need for enhanced security has never been more important.

Ransomware Will Continue to Evolve

Over the past few years, ransomware has become the most important tool for hackers. They will continue to work on them and enhance the effectiveness of these attacks.

They will not only keep targeting the IoT devices, they will also try to infiltrate Point of Sales (POS) systems and ATMs.

What’s more, ransomware will be utilised to craft effective phishing attacks.  

There Will Be Greater Threats to Mobile Security

With more and more people moving towards mobile, the platform is surely expected to be exploited. There is an increased amount of crucial corporate information on employees’ mobile devices and cyber criminals would love to get hold of them.  

From malware to propagation of unauthorised apps, mobile devices will be chief targets for hackers.

Security Skills Will Become Crucial

Recently, there is an overall global shortage of cyber security skills in the workplace. This gap between supply and demand will continue to rise.

Organisations will value security skills more as advanced systems will need advanced security expertise. They might focus on providing internal training for these skills.   

Data Theft Won’t Suffice – Data Manipulation Will Be the Target

Hackers have largely focused on data theft and using this data to their advantage. However, this trend will change and they will move towards harming the integrity of data.

By using advanced mechanisms, they will look towards causing reputational damage by manipulating data.

This will mean that companies and organisations will need to enhance their security procedures as there will be more at stake.

We at Lean Security aim to enhance web security across different platforms and devices. From mobile application security testing to web security testing, we provide all kinds of online security services to ensure that your company stays safe in the digital landscape.   

Data Breach- A Guide For Mitigating The Risks

To diminish security threats, evaluation of employee exit strategies and off-site data storage practices.

Provide a proper corporate policy for employees to ensure data security and let them know of the consequences of data breach.

Get web security assessment analysis and data protection testing via professional security provider today.

Web Application Security Checklist 2017 – Are You Ready?

2018 is just around the corner. The year went by so fast, bringing along with it new opportunities and possibilities regarding web application security.

From the beginning, enterprises and business operations focused on the security of their web applications and computer systems seeing the danger of cyber-crime was just as high.

Were you left behind in the world’s bid to make the year a little more secure and reliable for consumers as well as clients? There is still time to change your business strategy regarding web application security.

From paper work to threat assessments and web application vulnerability, let us help your business prepare and prosper.

Web Application Security – What to Implement

 The first step towards a secure web application is proactive vulnerability scanning. Assessing your web application’s strengths and weaknesses will also help determine the best course of action regarding security improvement.

Following is a checklist that encompasses every aspect of the concept.

1. Assess and Review App

The web application will undergo a comprehensive review in this step. Remember to test each part of the program or web application for vulnerabilities.

This step is crucial when it comes to determining the security needs of your web application. You’ll find out what the application is lacking. Make sure users of the app cannot bypass steps or gain access to unauthorised areas of the network.

Ask and answer tough questions like, can users enter a new ID and receive password without authorisation? How many times can the password be typed in before account lock-out?

2. Plan for Change

The next step to assess your app’s strengths and weaknesses is with the help of a series of vulnerability testing. Every web application has vulnerabilities embedded within its programming. Some vulnerabilities surface externally, usually by hackers and cyber-criminals.

Write down vulnerabilities that you think can threaten security and test your app using a vulnerability scanner. This will let you know how much the app can withstand.  

Another thing to test is whether sensitive information can be leaked through cookies (or other easily accessed code) or not.

3. Re-asses and Report Findings

It’s time to re-assess the app’s main areas of weaknesses once initial challenges have been reviewed. Come up with questions that encompass working ability of the app in its entirety.

Do you think some more work must be done to secure the web application? Is there another quick fix that you want to try before taking out the big guns?

Make sure to highlight high priority problems for remediation.

There are many other ways you can improve your web application security? Talk to Lean Security or try a free web health check offered by Australian service provider today

How Well Is The Security Testing In Your Organisation?

With the growing number of breaches and online threats, it’s really surprising how many businesses fail to cater to their information security testing.

Importance of this type of testing – including vulnerability scanning, vulnerability assessments and penetration testing service is well known.

Yet actual scope of such working is difficult to figure out and assess correctly.

What should be included in security testing? What are the vulnerabilities that need to be tested and identified? How many times should external and internal vulnerability scanning be performed? These are questions that trouble web developers and businesses.

Struggling With Finding Scope – Security Concerns of Businesses

The level of security implemented by a business when it comes to their network or web application is determined by the size of their operation. For example: Large enterprises often conduct external penetration testing or focus on one or two core web applications specifically.  

What seems to be the problem here?  

The entire security environment isn’t fully assessed. Midmarket enterprises experience a similar situation i.e. primary focus on external security testing and foregoing internal entirely.

Small businesses seem to know what is more important in the grander scheme of things! The question is, how well or poor is security testing in your organisation? Following are some common web application vulnerabilities that hit businesses with poor security.

Beware of:

• SQL injection
• Remote code execution
• Cross Site Scripting (XSS)
• Format string vulnerabilities
• Username enumeration

Notice an increase in cyber-hacking and information theft attempts via web applications used by employees? You have poor security in place.

Improving security requires thorough adherence to the following:

Perform Inventory of Web Applications

You probably don’t have any idea which applications employees use on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter how organised your company is – there are always some rouge applications running at any given time. Little attention is paid to these applications until something goes wrong.

Give Priority to Certain Vulnerabilities

This is the second step that has to be followed prior to testing chosen applications. Make a list of important vulnerabilities that must be eliminated and another of slightly less important.  

The fact of the matter is: All web applications have some vulnerabilities and removing everyone isn’t possible. This is why conduct testing of the most threatening vulnerabilities which will save a lot of your time.

What about those that are missed by your vulnerability scanners? Enlist the help of Lean Security to make sure your web application security is at the top of its game.