Mobile applications have become an integral part of businesses in the recent digital landscape. They help you gain and retain consumers by allowing you to engage with them directly, assessing consumer behaviours, and enhancing their experience while interacting with your business.
According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau Australia, more than 27% of Australian consumers use mobile applications to purchase products at least once a week and 5% of them do so daily.
But if the application glitches out, has bugs, takes long to load or experiences other types of errors, 51% of users are likely to stop using your application. This can lead to decreased conversion rates, loss of customer loyalty and a ruined business reputation.
To prevent this from happening, you should make sure you avoid making these mistakes in your mobile application development process.
1. No Data Encryption
Security of data should be your first priority when you’re developing an application for your business. One way to make sure that it stays safe is to translate it into a secret code, called encryption. Developers often remove the certificate validation while developing the app and the finished products end up without any form of data encryption.
This plain text is a vulnerable point all hackers try to exploit the first chance they get, and once they’re in your system they can access all your sensitive information. Thus, it’s absolutely necessary to include data encryption such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol, in the mobile app development process.
2. Unnecessary Features
When developing a mobile application, it’s wise to only stick with features that add value to the app. The more features you include, the greater the risk of data breaches there’ll be. Avoid using complex programs, not only are they costly to maintain, but they’re also fragile and vulnerable to cyberattacks.
3. Weak Server Controls
Your mobile application works on servers that are either your own or belong to a third party. Weak server controls can fall prey to cyberattacks very easily. It’s important for you to take measures to maximise the security of these servers, and make sure no unauthorised personnel can gain access to the critical data.
4. Inadequate Security Testing
Security testing often takes the back seat with mobile application development. And even when organization conduct security test, they often make the mistake of treating their app as a whole instead of checking all the small integral parts of the system.
The importance of security testing during the process of mobile application development can’t be stressed enough! To prevent your data and your business from all kinds of security threats, you need to get in touch with a managed security and IT solutions company and have their team perform a few crucial tests on your app. Make sure these tests include vulnerability scans, such as penetration testing, source code assessment and network assessment.
Connect with Lean Security Today!
Lean Security provides clients with excellent mobile application penetration testing, network vulnerability assessment and quality assurance services to help them keep their businesses safe and secure.
Get in touch with us to learn more about how we can help your business thrive!.