Hackers, firewalls, cybersecurity, and anything else connected to protection was mostly tied to computers and network security. With the use of mobile phones and numerous apps have drastically increased over the last few years, so has the importance of mobile app security. This is why you should invest in high-quality threat protection. There are further precautions you should take to ensure you are as protected as possible.

With forecasted 4.68 billion mobile users by the end of 2019, out of which almost half own a smartphone, and with global mobile traffic surpassing that coming from PC ́s, generating 48.71% of global website traffic,  it is clear how many people are under threat every day.

Mobile phone network coverage is increasing by the day, especially of the European population (98%). Combined with a pretty fast broadband connection and relatively affordable prices of mobile devices and plans, it is not surprising that the numbers are increasing in their favor.

Americans are spending almost 3 hrs every day on their smartphones, mostly browsing the internet, social networks, shopping, watching videos, playing games, etc. All these activities are done usually through many different apps, 205.4 billion of them downloaded in 2018.

All these numbers and percentages are telling us that today, and especially in the future, most sensitive data, like personal and credit card information, are located on our phones and apps. Hackers now have a new playground to play on and your responsibility as an app developer is to stop them.

With the development of cybersecurity strategies focusing more on desktop, the security of mobile applications did not receive as much attention. An astounding 75% of mobile applications would fail to prevent cyberattacks. Mobile devices and apps have become a new and critical target of cyberattacks, with data breaches occurring regularly.

Nevertheless, there are ways you can, as an app developer, secure mobile applications against data leakages or theft. The right mobile app development approach can mitigate security issues: 

1. A Strong Code

Having a weak code is the No. 1 cause of successful cyberattacks. If the code is packed with bugs and vulnerabilities, the hackers would not find it a challenge to crack it. So this is what they first look for to gain access. You can prevent this by avoiding using codes that are generic and available in public. Most of them are written by hackers anyway.

Implement best practices in mobile app security, including security frameworks, and make your developers write robust codes that are much more difficult to crack. Also analyze third-party codes, including apps used by your employees.

2. Continuous Testing

App security doesn’t stop once the code is completed and the app released into the market. Cybercriminals never relent, nor should you. You should have a constant observation, testing, and maintenance in place. Prevention is the best defense.

By regularly testing the app, you can catch any bugs and oversights on time, and immediately release updates and fixes. Invest in penetration testing, emulators, and threat modeling. Using third-party to test hack your app is a great way to see how strong its defenses are.

3. High-Level User Authentication

No matter how strong your code is, if the authentication is weak, security breaches are inevitable. This is why you should implement as strong authentication processes as possible, one of them being API login authorization and authentication.

This entails identity management as well, using personal identifiers, which are an extremely important piece of app security. There are various forms, the most common one being an alphanumeric password. Users should always be warned to create a strong password, with a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters, which should be renewed regularly.

An even more secure type of authentication is a biometric one, most commonly used are fingerprints and retina scans. Combining a static password and a dynamic OTP, as a multifactor type of authentication, has today gained prevalence amongst the mobile app developers.

4. Beware of Phishing

Since mobile users are spending so much time using their phones, they are 3 times more likely to respond to fraudulent emails and provide their login information.  This is one of the most used social engineering tactics, which is not a wonder since how little effort it requires. This can be prevented by educating users through the app interface, in the form of pop-up messages and side texts.

5. Never Use Unsecured Wi-Fi

When using a Wi-Fi connection that is untrusted, and those are usually the public ones, your device is much more vulnerable to outside threats. This depends on the user behavior, so again alerts should be implemented into the app design.

From your side, you can have to ensure that your Wi-Fi networks are impregnable. The members of your staff should connect to it only with their work phones, which should never have access to public networks. Nor should they ever access the company ́s Wi-Fi network with their private devices, to prevent any outside intrusion.

Author Bio: Chris Usatenko from Everycloud is a computer geek, writer, and gamer. He is interested in any aspects of the PC industry and videogames. He is willing to get experience and knowledge from around the world and implement them in his life.

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Why Progressive Web Apps are the future of Web Development

PWA‘s speed, reliability, and offline functionality make them the future of web development, delivering engaging and user-centric experiences across all devices. This video explains why Progressive Web Apps are the future of Web Development.

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We live in a mobile economy today. When it comes to booking a taxi, hotel room or buying things, mobile app is now the preferred medium for the users. Users are addicted to their smart phones & apps are a great way to tap into these users. Enterprises are now battling to woo their customers with customised apps. The customised apps are not only geared to simplify process flow for customers, but also act as marketing & branding tools for companies. The following points are an indicative checklist or pointers to help companies plan their mobile app development:

1. Use Case : Companies must figure out a compelling use case for the app. What is the purpose of the app? What needs to be accomplished with the app? Is the app going to be used for fun, sharing information, gathering feedback or achieving a specific functionality? Who are the end users of the app? How are they going to register on the app? Answering these questions will clarify the objectives and goals of the mobile app.

2. Data : While the app is being conceptualised, the data usage patterns also need careful attention. Where will the app get the data from? Does it need to be integrated with an existing Database through APIs, services or external source of data? How will the app data be stored on the server? Understanding these things is critical to design the right architecture for the app.

3. Screenshots : The deliverables for the app must be specific. It is helpful to have the screenshots or mock-ups of the app at an early stage. The screenshots can be evaluated by the key stakeholders and based on their inputs, the app screenshots & workflow can be finalised. One needs to answer the following questions regarding the app: How many screens will be involved? How many users will use the app? What screen resolutions will the app target? Are the main flows & processes in the application covered with the screenshots? The best apps tend to focus on core functionality & eliminate unnecessary features & functionality.

4. Offline Content : Some apps require content to be accessed in offline mode. This means that the app should work even when there is no internet connectivity. This requires storing Data base locally on the mobile. While architecting the solution, it is critical to evaluate whether the app requires data in the offline mode?

5. Platform Support : Developing a native app on all platforms can be a bit tricky for companies. To launch native apps, companies can prioritise the platforms according to the usage patterns of their users.  Does the app need to be supported on iOS, Android, Windows or other platforms? Which platform should be prioritised for development? How will the native platform apps be maintained? These are some of the crucial things that need to be addressed before deciding on the platform support for the app.

6. Notifications, Updates & Features : The functional requirements for the app must be covered with the features. The mode of communication with the end users with notifications, interactivity support and updations must be planned. Companies want to keep engagement levels of their users high with frequent & relevant updates to the app. What type of notifications should be sent to the users? How frequently the app will be updated? What are the context specific actions that the app should take? How will the app be deployed? These are some questions that need to be answered when the app is created.

7. Security : Organisations are wary of storing their sensitive data remotely. The use case for the app will vary from organisation to organisation. What level of security is required for the app needs to be ascertained? How will sensitive data be stored & protected? Will there be any third party integrations required etc? Evaluation of security parameters around important data should be planned to avoid any breaches or loopholes.

8. Special features for Ecommerce/In-app purchase : When the app requires in-app purchase or commercial transactions, comprehensive efforts need to track everything in minute details. For e.g. all product bookings using the app must be traceable from the super-admin panel of the organisation. All bookings, cancellations, user details etc must be mapped with precise details. The app can also be used to collect user information, geo-location details, etc. This may be used by the companies for sending push notifications. It is important to establish, does the app require payment gateway? Is the app designed to support ecommerce transactions? How will the super-admin panel be managed to run the app or the platform etc?

9. Device Compatibility, Data flow & Integrations : Designing an app to meet core functionalities requires that app connects to data from many existing back-end systems. The app should be able to leverage the existing ERP, CRM systems for data access. The app should be designed so that it synchronises data between multiple devices, platforms and systems effortlessly for the end user. The following are some questions that need to be evaluated before an app solution is finalised: What kind of existing systems are used by the organisation? How can the app securely connect to legacy systems? How will the data synchronisation be achieved across devices? Will there be any data migration required for the app?

10. Reports, Analytics & Dashboard : The app can be used to collect user information, usage statistics, and other relevant details. The total number of app users and statistics related to them can be published to the super admin interface. The reports, data analytics & other information can be used for making informed decisions for the company. One needs to evaluate things like, which metrics will be used to measure user engagement? Which key result areas need to be captured for the reports? What is the volume of users for the app? What is the user feedback etc?

Progressive web apps have emerged as a strong alternative to native mobile apps. In most enterprise application scenarios, a progressive web app is able to provide an integrated solution for all platforms. Kreyon Systems is an enterprise software company for ERP Software development, CRM development services & business process automation. Please reach us for any queries or assistance.

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Mobile is dominating the landscape for business is not a secret anymore. Establishing a mobile presence for an enterprise is one of the key decisions today. While most companies want to leverage the benefits of a mobile work force, they are faced with many questions. One of the most frequently asked questions from enterprises is whether they should have a mobile website or mobile application? Evaluating the key differences between mobile application & mobile website are important before one can take a final call.  Here we try to uncover the use cases for both mobile website & app to see how your organisation may use them.

Difference between Mobile website & Application

A mobile application resides on the smart phone or device of the user. It is installed on the phone. The mobile website is accessed through a browser on the phone. It is not stored on the mobile device unlike the application. It fetches data over internet.

Pros of mobile Website

1.  Availability & Access :

An existing enterprise application can be made responsive so that it works fine on mobile devices. They are readily available via internet & do not require user to install them on their phones.

2.  Platform Independent :

A mobile website can be developed so that it works on all platforms identically. The same application can be accessed on different mobile operating systems and platforms. The same mobile website can be accessed from Android, iOS, Windows phone, Blackberry OS etc. PWA apps have emerged as a strong option for platform independent mobile apps.

3.  Upgrades :

A mobile website doesn’t require user to explicitly upgrade an application. When the application is upgraded, the same is available to the user. The updates are seamless & easy to manage.

4.  Cost Effective :

A single website can be used across all types of devices & mobiles. A mobile application requires separate design, development & maintenance efforts. The same application needs to be written for different mobile operating systems for native apps. The generic versions of mobile apps are still limited in terms of User Interface, Performance & Operating System specific features. So, developing multiple applications for same purpose can be tricky & expensive.

5.  User Experience:

In terms of user experience a mobile website can be developed to provide User experience like a native application. The mobile user experience can be enhanced with UI & UX designs that work well across devices.

6.  Space:

Your mobile or smart phone has limited memory. The number of mobile applications that it can store is finite. However, a mobile website leaves no footprint on the device making it simple to use and manage.

7.  Search Rankings:

As per Google support, starting April 21, 2015, Google Search will be expanding its use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. So, websites which are optimised for mobile usage will be ranking higher on searches from mobile devices.

8.  Enterprise Application:

If you have an enterprise application like a CRM solution, ERP software, or finance systems, there are lot of features which are present in the application. It is easier to customise your existing enterprise software application to work on a mobile than to have a mobile application for each of those features. A progressive web app development company can offer an integrated solution for a business.

Cons of Mobile Website

1. Offline Access :

Mobile website is accessed over internet, hence users cannot work on it offline. For apps, which work on standalone mode and require very little interaction to DB, it is better to use a mobile application.

2. Browser Compatibility :

Some old browsers may not support elements of a mobile website. The users can however upgrade to newer versions of the browser. The browser compatibility and versioning needs to be handled for a mobile website.

3. Gaming apps :

Gaming and interactivity apps are much better developed on an app than a mobile website. Mobile apps can offer better user experience, processing and performance for gaming apps compared to responsive websites.

Pros of a Mobile Application

1.  Graphics & Interactivity support :

For interactivity and graphics, a native mobile application can offer better performance than a mobile website. If you are looking to develop gaming applications than mobile application may be the better option.

2.  Offline Usage :

If your application is used offline and doesn’t interact with the database too frequently than mobile application can be the preferred option. The mobile apps can work offline unlike mobile websites which need internet connection.

3.  Device Features :

For accessing device features like camera, GPS, and reading native libraries of the mobile operating system, a mobile application is a good choice. The device features and functionality are better accessed with mobile applications.

4.  Personalised :

A mobile application which is more personalised in nature can be effective for the end users. For standalone usage of the application, a mobile version of the same is preferred. Todo lists, ecommerce apps are a good example of this category of mobile applications.

5.  Push Notifications :

For personalised alerts & push notifications, mobile applications are more useful. The localised data from user devices is collected and patterns are analysed based on which these notifications can be sent to user devices.

Cons of Mobile Application

1.  Maintenance & Support :

The native mobile applications require separate design, development & support on different platforms. The iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows phone and other mobile operating systems require different apps. They are developed and maintained separately, which needs different skills, teams for development.

2.  Portability of Enterprise Solutions :

It is complicated to port all features of an enterprise solution to a mobile app. These apps serve specific niche cases for users, but complete portability of a large application may need significant efforts. Several apps may be required to meet the functionality of the enterprise app, however, a mobile website offers a consistent and simple interface for achieving this.

3.  Space & Memory Constraints :

For apps which require offline processing, the space & memory constraints of the mobile devices need to be considered. The mobile storage and processing speed is often a constraint for high computing enterprise applications compared to mobile websites.

Mobile is relatively new territory for enterprise solutions. The question on whether mobile website or app addresses the user’s requirements can be determined with a use case analysis. In some cases, both may also be required to facilitate the best of both the worlds. Mobile is the way things are headed for the enterprise software solutions.

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Mobile devices are changing the face of business. The growing penetration of mobile technology in everyday business activities is causing a revolution. Companies are leveraging the mobile applications to build great services for users. Whether it is accessing emails, accessing reports critical for decisions or performing day to day operational tasks, mobility is the new way for business. Many companies are looking to take advantage of mobile enterprise applications for business agility.

As per Mckenzie report more than 40% of consumers use smart-phone for in-store research in the retail Industry. Mobile banking is going to surpass Online banking by the end of 2015 & 35%  bookings will come from mobiles in Travel Industry. The tablet & smart phone users are now a majority on Internet. And they are growing faster. A look at how the enterprise mobile applications are can help companies to win in the digital age:

1.  Enable Your Staff  :

With Mobile technology you can allow your staff to work on the go. Enable them with tools where they can access key information for sales, meetings or at a client location. Employee management system can provide self service resources for the staff.

2.  Communicate better & more effectively :

Mobile enterprise applications help in better communication among team members. It also helps to collaborate, share information & improve productivity of the team members.

3.  Derive Simpler Service Models for Your Business :

A taxi sharing app like Uber is a good example of how simplicity can drive business. When things are developed for a specific purpose, they are designed with simplicity and cater to the business process. A mobile enterprise app can help to translate business processes into simple applications.

4.  Customer Centric :

The minimalist approach for a mobile enterprise app makes things easier to use. It also helps in serving customers better with more agility, responsiveness and improved service.

5.  Improve Data Analysis :

The mobile devices can help in extraction lot of location based and contextual data from users. This data can be mined to read into existing usage patterns for improving services, and better forecasts with relevant user data. This can be used for marketing, sales & various other business units.

6.  Improve Field Service :

The field service automation can greatly benefit from enterprise mobility. The field visits to customer locations, information management and maintenance services can be improved with mobile applications.

7.  Faster Sales processes :

The sales team can spend more time on ground with mobile connectivity. They have access to all information they need. They can spend more time in field sales and do away with office visits for data access or reporting. The ability to configure, price & send quotations to customers on the run is an added advantage for sales.

8.  Approvals & Work process refinements :

Enterprises are looking to improvise their existing solutions for CRM, ERP solution, Finance, Human Resource management etc with mobile capabilities. All approvals and workflows benefit immensely with mobile connectivity. The approval notifications and processes can be simplified, fast tracked & automated with mobility.

9.  Competitive Edge & Brand perception :

A lot of companies are still catching up to the mobile revolution. Many companies which are using traditional & legacy applications are finding it hard to customise things to adapt to the mobile age. An organisation which is run on mobile solutions is considered advanced by its customers. It improves brand perception of your company.

10.  Eliminate paper work & make administration easy :

The enterprise applications which are run on mobile make tracking things easy. The status updates are instant and any pending activities are immediately reported. The administration & work flow is greatly improved with a mobile enterprise application. Reduce clutter and eliminate redundancy, paper work to improve efficiency & agility.

Mobile computing has changed the paradigm of business. Simple services that make users life easy are now being offered through mobiles. The goal of mobility solutions is integrate the mobile users, business processes and organisational objectives. The computing has been simplified & mobile devices are now capable of performing enormously complex tasks. The combination of cloud, mobile technology, and wireless internet access has revolutionized the way the world operates. The power is in the hands of the consumer.

Kreyon Systems is an innovative software company with rich experience of software products development for driving business.

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