How to Secure Android App for Secure Experience in 2024

Due to the increased number of mobile users, Android app usage has increased. It forced most sectors to develop Android applications for their services and goods. Industries like e-commerce, education, banking, fintech, insurance, etc., now own mobile applications.

The demand is also due to increased usage of the Android operating system. We have about 2.3 million Android applications on the Google Play Store.

With this technology change, there is also a concern about mobile app security. Cybercriminals target all the data that mobile applications handle. Developers must secure Android apps, as they collect a lot of sensitive data. Cybercriminals deploy different techniques to steal sensitive data from Android applications.

This forces companies to set up various policies and methodologies to achieve this. It forces developers to follow different practices to secure their Android apps. Some cyberattacks should be prevented that include ransomware, viruses, Trojans, etc.

Mobile application deals with sensitive data like:

User's data include health data, financial information, insurance data, personal messages, etc.
The application data includes app architecture, functionality, databases, etc.
Device data. Since Android, apps have access to other parts of the device. Hackers can use them to access different parts of the device data.

The guide will cover 12 ways to secure an Android app for a secure experience. It will also discuss several reasons why you should secure your Android app.

Reasons Why You Should Secure Your Android App

Companies and users gain several benefits when they have a secure Android app. They have a lot of sensitive data. Some benefits include:

Avoid legal actions. Users and regulatory companies can take your company to court when there is a data breach. They aim to get compensation and want other actions taken on you.
It improves users' trust. When they become aware that your company follows the best security guidelines. They trust you more and end up leaving positive reviews for your business.
Avoids financial loss. When a data breach happens on your Android app. There are higher chances of losing your finances to ransoms. You also get fines from data regulatory bodies like GDPR.
It ensures your Android application works well and without issues. Cybercrimes like ransomware can affect your application’s normal operation.
It gives you an edge over your competitors. When you secure your Android app, many users will like it and leave positive reviews. The reviews rank your application higher, leading to download and usage.
This leads to more revenue. When your customers leave positive reviews, your app gains more trust. It makes them use the app more, leading to more conversions.

16 Ways on How to Secure Android App for Secure Experience

1. Implement Correct Permissions

Ensure that you use the correct permissions when sharing data. This can happen across different applications, APIs, and dependencies. If you use data from third-party sources, limit access to your application.

Ensure that you protect all your permission data. Few people should have access to your data unless it is a special case. Use signature protection level when dealing with IPC communication for several applications.

Advise your developers to use read-only or write-only permissions, depending on the situation. It will make it hard for hackers to make changes to your app.

2. Proper Authentication

Proper authentication prevents any security issues by providing extra security. Some of the practices are as follows:

Two-factor authentication. The system asks for extra security after the regular password. The security can be a one-time code. The users get the password via SMS or email.
Implementing biometrics. It involves using other methods to access the application after inputting your password. Common procedures include fingerprints, facials, etc.
Set up a specific number of authorization requests. If they become excess, block the user from accessing the app. It prevents common cyber-attacks like brute force.
Integrating your application with the credential manager. It uses methods like passkeys and sign-in with Google methods.
Use the autofill procedure when dealing with forms. It allows users to access the app by auto filling the most crucial data. Some data include usernames, passwords, credit card details, and other relevant details.
Make use of access tokens that control all your application API calls.

3. Secure Your Development Environment

Before deploying your application to the Google Play Store marketplaces. Developers must ensure they secure their development environment. It ensures that you have a secure Android app during deployment.

Some ways to secure your environment include:

Set up access controls on your tools and code repositories.
Use analysis tools to scan your code to find any security issues.
Conduct code reviews to check if there are any issues within the code. Developers must conduct code reviews regularly. It eliminates problems like code duplication.
You should create different environments for different purposes. For example, production, development, and testing.

4. Follow the Best Coding Practices

Developers should follow the best coding practices when building an Android application. It makes an android secure, preventing any vulnerabilities. Some of the practices to follow include:

Parsing all JSON data using Jackson library.
When working with images, consider working with SVGS and Webp formats.
Follow all the object-oriented principles for easier code reading and management.
Choose the best naming convention that makes it easier to read code. It makes it easier to read and understand your code during code reviews.
Reduce your APK size using Proguard.
Choose the best architecture that is easier regarding testing, scalability, and bug fixing.
Write code that focuses more on user experience.
Consider using a feature-based package when dealing with Java packages.
Choose your functions well, and avoid the nesting of layouts.
Follow all the Google Play guidelines to prevent any issues during deployment.
Document all your code for future reference by using comments where necessary.
Test your code regularly to fix any bugs and remove vulnerabilities.
Use a leak canary to eliminate any memory leaks.
Be keen when preparing a code structure to help your app use fewer resources like memory.
Follow all the latest Android updates and ensure your app strictly follows them.

5. Implement Code Obfuscation

Code obfuscation prevents unauthorized parties from accessing your Android application logic. It also protects your sensitive data. Obfuscation prevents cyber criminals from changing your code or adding malicious code.

Developers use different methods to harden all code layers. The practices provides extra protection. It makes it hard for hackers to access any level of protection. Some of the best methods to implement code obfuscation include:

Encryption of all your classes, functions, classes, etc.
Using code hardening techniques like renaming all your fields, libraries, functions, classes, etc.
Changing your overall code structure.
Changing all your logical and arithmetic expressions.
Hiding all your API calls.
Avoid working with the normal metadata.
Using Runtime Application Self-Protection.

6. Perform Updates

Update all the libraries, APIs, and dependencies used in your application. It ensures that all communications within your application are safe and without issues.

Updates remove any security threats within an application. Automating sending notifications to your users when an update is pending will motivate them to take action and fix any security issues.

The following are ways to keep your application up to date:

Check all your dependencies, APIs, and libraries. Use Android Studio to update the Android SDK when dealing with first-party dependencies. If you have dependencies from third parties. Visit their official website and check if there are any updates to work on.
Google provides different ways to check if the device is up to date. It automatically protects your application from any security vulnerabilities and exploits. If you use any Google Play Services in your application. Throw an authorization error to those devices that have pending updates.

7. Implement Data Storage Better

When developing an Android application, you deal with different storage types. There are three types of storage: content providers, external, and internal.

For internal storage, the data is only accessible to the app.

For external storage, we find data on devices like SD cards, most of which are readable and writable. It is good when dealing with insensitive data, as you can remove it anytime.

For content providers, developers can limit the data an application can access. Limiting all permissions according to the application's functionality ensures a better decision.

8. Validate Your User Input

Android applications accept different user inputs, which makes them targets for hackers. Android provides users with different features to use to secure them. It is also recommended to use type-safe languages to prevent validation issues.

Some of the best practices to use when validating user input on your application include:

Use technologies like Android's Data Execution Prevention. It prevents issues like buffer overflows and one-by-one errors.
Use parameterized queries when writing queries. Ensure they are read-only or write-only.
There are some programming languages, such as Python, SQL, and JavaScript. It uses escape characters and scripts that are prone to cyber-attacks.
Handle your pointers well and manage all your buffers.
Use the correct data formats. It ensures all the application data follows the expected formats.

9. Implement Encryption

Encryption involves using different practices to protect the app's sensitive data. It is one of the best security practices to secure your Android app. Some of the encryption practices include:

There are two types of encryption: symmetric and asymmetric methods. Common algorithms include AES-256, RSA, Triple DES, Blowfish, Twofish, etc.

Most applications use symmetric applications since it uses public keys.

Developers must use the Advanced Encryption Standard to protect all application data. It is one of the best methods for securing an Android app.

10. Use Verified and Tested Third Party Libraries and APIs

Developers use third party APIs, dependencies, and libraries when building applications. Read their documentation, and check their latest versions and their community. After that, make a decision on which one to use.

Consider alternatives if there is no recent version and little community and documentation. Conduct proper research on the ones you plan to use. Read reviews online and see if they are associated with any vulnerabilities.

After using any APIs and dependencies in your application. Ensure to update them to prevent any vulnerabilities. Developers should also have better ways to store their API keys. Encrypt your keys using tools like Tink Java and store them using Android Keystore.

Perform testing for all your APIs using different environments. Common environments include development, testing, and production. It reduces any chance of being mixed up, which can lead to compromise.

11. Ensure there is Proper Communication

There is a lot of communication when dealing with an app. One must ensure that communication is secure.

Some of the best ways to ensure there is secure communication is as follows:

Ensure your communication between the app and network is secure. Purchase an SSL certificate from a reliable provider. It handles all HTTPS requests, improving security concerns. HTTPS encrypts all communication between the server and app.

There are many providers where you can purchase a cheap SSL certificate.

If your application has a custom security configuration. Remember to declare it the app manifest file.
Prevent your TLS from accepting all certificates. Modify your trust manager to handle any suspicious behavior within your TLS.
Purchase a Code Signing certificate for your application. The signature on the certificate must match that on your application. It is better to use Code signing certificates to authenticate your app.
Google provides the Google Play Integrity API. It checks all server requests and interactions to ensure legitimacy.
Block all the traffic that seems to come from one IP address. It protects all your app requests, preventing many cyber-attacks.

12. Have Proper Session Management

Sessions enable only authorized users to access your applications. Hackers have found ways to hijack sessions. They later steal sensitive data and spread vulnerabilities. Developers can use the session API to create, transfer, and share sessions.

Developers can also use other methods, such as session timeouts. They require users to sign in again after a short time when the session ends. Session timeouts work well on applications like banking and financial apps.

13. Follow Data Privacy Regulations

Data protection bodies like the GDPR, the EDPB, and the CCPA exist. It ensures developers follow data protection laws when handling user's data. Failure to comply leads your company to be fined, resulting in serious losses.

Companies must establish policies and implement them to promote data privacy. This protects the company from facing hefty fines from regulators. Meta and TikTok are two examples of the biggest Android applications fined. They paid \$1.3 billion and \$370 million as fines for violating privacy laws.

14. Perform Penetration Testing

The team should conduct different tests to check for vulnerabilities after development. Companies can hire ethical hackers to check for threats. Companies with larger budgets can hire a cybersecurity team to handle testing issues.

Use monitoring tools to prevent suspicious behavior. Set up incident response plans. They will enable you to recover faster in case of a data breach.

Have measures and policies for all the company staff. It ensures that all security needs be met from the beginning of the development period.

15. Use Cryptography

Cryptography allows developers to use different algorithms to protect sensitive app data. Developers should ensure they use the best cryptography for their applications. Most developers use Java Cryptography Architecture (JCA). It works best for most applications.

Some companies like Google can provide other options if you lack one. Other best practices to consider when implementing cryptography include:

There are several block modes in cryptography, such as GCM, CTR, and CBC. For CBC and CTR mode, use functions like HMAC-SHA1, HMAC-SHA-256, HMAC-SHA-512, etc.
Use methods like a random number generator to create any new cryptographic keys.
It is advisable to use 256-bit AES; if it is hard, you can consider 128-bit AES.
Use Keystore for easier storage and retrievals to store public keys.
When implementing ECC cryptography, use 224- or 256-bit keys.

16. Educate Your Workers and Users

Educate your developers and users on the importance of a secure experience. Educating them will make everyone aware and increase users' trust in you.

Buy courses and other related training programs for your stuff. Companies can pay for courses from different providers and let the workers take them.
Create policies that will ensure any sensitive data is protected to promote transparency.
Create different resources on your application website. Use other mediums, such as blogs, videos, and interviews, to educate users.

Conclusion

App security is now compulsory. Companies and developers must follow the above practices to secure your Android app. Companies must follow it from development to deployment. Failure can lead to serious issues like paying fines, legal charges, etc.

With the new trends in Android development and cybersecurity. Developers must read more resources to stay updated. App security is an ongoing process; you must keep doing it to get results.

It is not something you do once and forget about it. It is a long process, which can cause developers to skip practices. This behavior can lead to serious issues. Let us follow the best security practices no matter the type of application you are working on.