Securing Banking Applications 101: Mobile Money Safety

2019 marked a major milestone for the mobile money industry: the global number of registered mobile money accounts surpassed one billion. Mobile money provides a path to financial inclusion, and with 290 live services in 95 countries, it has entered the mainstream.

It’s become standard for major financial and banking institutions to issue mobile banking applications that allow users to check account balances, pay bills, and transfer money. Financial institutions and e-commerce websites and applications have also been using alternative payment options, such as Square’s cash app and PayPal’s Venmo. Mobile money is gaining popularity because it makes transactions quick and informal.

That said, with any digital technology that involves financial transactions, cybercriminals are never too far behind. Attackers and hackers use a variety of methods to compromise the integrity of mobile banking, including snooping, deploying fake applications, malicious network attacks, and abusing stolen account credentials.

Here’s how users can remain secure on mobile banking applications.

Mobile Banking Application Security

·         Always ensure you download applications from trusted and legitimate sources to eliminate the risk of fake and harmful applications.

·         Keep your banking app updated; the latest versions tend to contain fixes for the latest vulnerabilities.

·         Enable the banking app’s built-in security features, such as idle time-outs.

·         Never open attachments from unknown senders.

·         Reduce the chances of clicking on a malicious link be regularly deleting your junk mail.

Establishing Safe Network Connections

·         Never use your banking app when connected to unsecured Wi-Fi networks in public places.

·         When using a mobile browser to access banking or other financial websites, make sure the URL is an https address with a padlock icon, indicating encrypted communications.

·         If you have to use a banking app in a public place, use it over 3G, 4G, or LTE. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to prevent attackers from snooping.

Protecting Online Financial Accounts

·         Enable all financial applications’ two-factor authentication feature. Install trusted and legitimate authenticator apps too, if available. Typically, the codes required to log in, are sent via email or SMS.

·         Disable the autocomplete feature in your banking/financial apps or when logging in through a browser.

·         Never store your financial account passwords in your browser.

·         Never respond to emails or text messages requesting your account number, PIN, or debit or credit card number.

·         Make sure to use a strong and unique password for each banking/financial application you use. Use a different password for each. Log out after you’re done with your transactions.

·         Always monitor your account activity for anything unusual or suspicious.

We are a premium cybersecurity services provider based in Gordon NSW, Australia. We provide application protection for financial services, such as helping you avoid malicious code insertion, application modification, and prevent unauthorised access. Our penetration testing services include mobile application penetration testing, advanced web security testing, web application scanning, and more.

Get in touch with us for more information on our services.

Who Is External Network Penetration Testing Test For?

As businesses expand, their virtual assets increase in both quantity and value. Much like physical assets, companies go to great lengths to secure these digital resources and protect them from malicious actors.

Penetration testing is a form of web security auditing that tests your existing system for weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers. It can be carried out on a variety of systems, but in this blog, we’ll be focusing on external network penetration testing, in particular, and who should opt for it.

What is Network Penetration Testing?

Network penetration testing is done to secure your organisation’s network from both internal and external actors. Internal network penetration testing assesses what damage a person could do if they had initial access.

It is conducted using a pen test that mirrors potential internal threats, such as intentional or unintentional malicious actions carried out by an employee.

External network testing checks what damage and external actor could do. The focus is on inspecting and determining what vulnerabilities exist in the system that could be taken advantage of. The focus is on internet-facing assets such as web, mail and FTP servers.

Who Is External Network Penetration Testing for?

External network penetration can secure your operations and keep you safe from cyberattacks. You should opt for external network penetration testing if your business:

1. Wants to minimise the risk of a data breach

The risk of a data breach is quite imminent these days—statistics show that a cyberattack occurs every 39 seconds. As technology improves, hackers develop more sophisticated techniques to carry out malicious actions against businesses.

In this scenario, it’s crucial for companies to find out where their system lacks and fix those issues urgently.

2. Wants to ensure compliance

Compliance with international security principles is necessary if you want your business to grow. The PCI DSS, for example, has certain standards in place to prevent the theft of credit card information. If you want to ensure secure transactions on your network, you’ll have to comply with these standards.

3. Is looking to expand online

Businesses that are looking to launch a website, online store, or application, should get penetration testing done. It ensures that your product is meeting security standards and isn’t a risk to your company or your users.  

Why Choose Lean Security for External Penetration Testing?

Lean Security is the leading penetration testing service provider in Australia. We have worked with clients across the world and in different industries. Our skilled engineers are experienced in testing the security of web applications, mobile applications, IoT, API software, and much more.

To find out more, get in touch online or call +61 (2) 8078 6952.

Why Is Web Service Penetration Testing Beneficial For Your Business?

The amount of digital data produced each day is nothing short of spectacular. Over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created each day—and with the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), this number will only go up.

However, as most data goes online, the risk of breaches also increases. One of the top security concerns businesses have these days is how they can secure themselves from malicious actors. Penetration testing is a vital tool that allows companies to test for weaknesses in their systems and put adequate security measures in place.

In this blog, we’ll discuss how web service penetration testing can be beneficial to your business.

Enhanced security

Penetration testing employs a combination of automatic and manuals techniques to mimic the actions of a hacker. Doing so uncovers vulnerabilities in your system and lets you understand how a real cyberattack might play out.

Once you know the security situation of your systems, you can take adequate measures to address those vulnerabilities in a timely manner. This will protect your web service from potential attacks in the future.

Increased compliance

As technology evolves, updated compliance requirements are put forward. These ensure that companies are taking adequate measures to protect customers’ data. For example, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is important if you want to set up a payment mechanism on your website.

Reduced risks and costs associated with data breaches

In the event of a data breach, companies have to bear short and long-term costs. In the short run, companies may have to deal with costs such as legal expenses; in the long run, they risk losing their customers’ trust and, consequently, their business.

Penetration testing reduces the risk of a data breach and protects your company from the legal and economic ramifications of a data breach.

Gain a competitive advantage

The innovative use of web services, such as APIs, can increase the growth options for your web or native app. And integrating them with mainstream products can give you an even stronger competitive advantage.

Additionally, most experienced penetration testing service providers are able to provide actionable recommendations to their clients once the test is over. You not only understand what vulnerabilities your system is dealing with—but also how to manage them.

Are you worried about the security of your web service?

Lean Security offers dedicated security and IT solutions to businesses all over the world. Our expert software technicians are skilled at API penetration testing.

For more information, call +61 (2) 8078 6952 or message us here.

Your Ultimate Cybersecurity Checklist for Working from Home

The COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. In Australia, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in late January 2020. According to the Department of Health, as of May 15th, 2020, there have been 7,019 total cases and at least 98 deaths.

One of the major precautionary measures taken by governments and employers all over the globe was to have non-essential workers work remotely from home. However, without the robust cybersecurity systems of organizations, employees working from home face the risk of cyber threats.

We’ve compiled this useful cybersecurity checklist so that people working from home can take proper measures to keep them safe from cyberattacks.

Computer Setup

Since you’re likely using your own devices and equipment while working from home, you need to make sure that’s equipped to keep you safe. If you’re an employer who’s expecting their employees to run specific software, you need to check the recommended hardware and operating system specifications. It’s likely that employees will be using underpowered devices, so see what you can do to optimize the software.

Avoid Shadow IT

Many employees upload sensitive company data to high or medium risk applications that aren’t approved by employers. This is known as shadow IT—staff uses software that hasn’t been authorised or checked by the company’s IT department for business purposes. Make sure to provide your staff with all the software they will require to work so that they aren’t compelled to use risky software that leaves your system vulnerable.

Network Connection

You need to make sure that means of access to your company network is secure. In order to do this, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that provides remote users encrypted access to the company network.

Mobile Device Management

Consider using Mobile Device Management (MDM) software to make it much easier to deploy, monitor, and secure mobile devices as well as desktop and laptop computers. You’ll be able to carry out system and software updates in bulk, remotely back up data, remove or quarantine unauthorized users or applications, monitor malware, and much more.

We are one of Australia’s leading cybersecurity services providers. Our vast array of services include penetration testing, advanced web security testing, and mobile app security testing to help companies eliminate vulnerabilities that open them up to cyber threats.

Get in touch with us for more information on our services.

Top 4 Threats Online Gamers Need to Be Wary of

Video games now dominate the entertainment industry. Ever since the advent of the game-changing Sony PlayStation 2 twenty years ago and its unparalleled processing power, the entertainment industry has never been the same. Unlike movies, TV, music, and books, video games are inherently a digital medium. However, that brings its own unique set of problems.

When it comes to online gaming, players are often required to entrust their personal information with game developers and publishers. This opens them up to several cybersecurity risks.

Here are some of the top cybersecurity threats online gamers need to be wary of.

Theft of Virtual Valuables

The veritable precursor to cryptocurrency was in-game economies. In-game economies utilize virtual money that’s earned in the game itself. That, of course, means it can’t be used in the real world. However, it’s a commodity that holds real value to players. One can, in fact, fetch very high real-world prices for video game accounts with large amounts of in-game currency or access to rare in-game items and valuables. On one of the longest-running online games, RuneScape, a moderator named Mod Jed, stole 45 billion in-game coins with a real-world value of $100,000 from players.

Many video games are published, authenticated, and sold online on platforms like Origin, Steam, and GOG Galaxy. Players use a single account to manage these games. There have been cases of hackers stealing supplementary and add-on items as well as entire accounts from these online platforms.

Phishing

Players of popular video games are often made targets of phishing campaigns. Phishing tactics aren’t limited to sending fraudulent emails anymore. One commonly used tactic is to set up a fraudulent login page or to pose as a friend and attempt to send malicious links via online chat forums and platforms.

Malware

Malware spreading in gaming often overlaps with phishing techniques. Just as one can use online chat features to spread fake login pages, they can be also be used to send links to drive-by malware downloads. In popular competitive games, players often find themselves downloading malicious applications that promise cheats and tips to gain an edge over other players.

In-Game Security Flaws

A flaw in the authentication process of the popular online game Fortnite was detected in 2018. The game’s official login URL wasn’t validated. This left it vulnerable to a redirect attack. Then it was found that an unused and vulnerable subdomain for the game’s developer and publisher Epic Games. An attacker could use this compromised subdomain to request users’ login credentials.

As one of Australia’s top cybersecurity services provider, we help game developers and publishers mitigate cybersecurity risks and protect online game integrity with minimal effect on game performance. Our services include advanced web security testing, penetration testing, and mobile app security testing.

Get in touch with us for more information on our services.