According to studies, more than half of the world’s population has smartphones, which means they also have access to mobile apps. Apps can offer considerable functionality and make life easier as well as more entertaining. But, while they can bring great benefit to users, apps can also pose a security threat to users; especially apps that require the use of banking and financial data to complete transactions. Even if you don’t have to submit your credit card number, most apps collect and store personal data that needs to be protected.
Although apps arguably existed before its launch, it was 2007’s launch of the iPhone, and 2008’s Apple App Store launch, that really brought the concept of the app to the market’s attention. Today, there really are apps for everything, from payments and mobile banking to video and casino gaming.
All apps have some potential for data theft or even mobile device hacking, but those that rely on the use of credit card or banking details are especially prone. Finance and iGaming writer Aman Jain advises casino app users, for example, should look for additional security features like two-factor authentication and SSL encryption (source: https://www.valuewalk.com/igaming/best-casino-apps/). And this is good advice for all apps – they are easy to download and start using so many of us don’t consider the security risks before choosing another app to install on our devices.
1. Research The App
Before downloading, installing, and using any app, research it. Determine who made the app, ensure it is properly licensed, if appropriate, and look for genuine user reviews to determine other users’ experience with the app. There are a ton of genuine apps that fulfill many requirements, but there are a lot that are designed for little more than stealing personal data or gaining access to unprotected mobile devices.
You can check reviews on app stores, but you can also use a broader search to find more reliable information. For banking and financial apps, check with the issuing bank. For casino apps, ensure the company that produced it is properly licensed and the app has good reviews.
2. Download Apps From Reputable Locations
There are around 3 million apps on the Google Play Store and 2 million on the Apple App Store. The Apple store generally places stricter requirements on app developers than the Google store does, but both stores offer some assurance of security.
Downloading apps from other sources is possible, and it may be necessary with certain types of apps that cannot be found on the major app marketplaces, but it carries extra risks and demands much more extensive research to ensure security.
3. Use Third Party Payment Platforms
For apps that require financial information, for example, to make payments, it can be a good idea to use a third-party payment apps or external payment provider, rather than submitting your credit card details or bank account information. Digital wallets like Google’s and Apple’s wallets, PayPal, and Cash App are good examples.
More recently, cryptocurrency wallets have also become more prominent. Cryptocurrency is a naturally secure payment method, although it does require additional steps and it can seem more complicated, at least at first glance.
4. Ensure Strong Passwords
Secure apps require some form of login or authentication. In most cases, this starts with a password. Unfortunately, many people use insecure passwords that are not only easy to hack but are guessable by real humans. Some of the most popular passwords in the world are 123456 and password.
Use unique passwords for every account and app. Ensure they are at least 12 characters long and include letters, numbers, and special characters. Passwords should not include recognizable strings of characters or personally identifiable information, either.
5. Use 2FA
While secure passwords can help protect your data, data thieves have access to a lot of tools and methods for bypassing passwords. Two-factor authentication, or multi-factor authentication, provides an additional layer of security that is more difficult to bypass, especially when combined with other security methods.
Where 2FA is offered, use it. A temporary, short-term password will be delivered to your mobile device or via app, and because this temporary password effectively becomes useless after a few minutes, it is difficult to get past this security requirement without physical access to your mobile device. It isn’t impossible, but it is difficult.
6. Avoid Public WiFi
Public WiFi is convenient and it enables us to check emails, browse the Internet, and use mobile apps from coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and even on public transport. However, public WiFi is public, and using it does increase vulnerabilities in your mobile security.
Avoid using public WiFi when making financial transactions or accessing your financial apps, at the very least. Save these kinds of app uses for when you’re at home using your secure home network. If you do have to use public WiFi, consider installing and using a VPN connection.
7. Keep Your Details Private
You should never share your app login or account details with anybody, whether intentionally or not. This means not writing your login details down and not storing them on the phone that you use to access the app.
Password managers can be used as a secure means of remembering complex, secure passwords, and are more secure than personal methods of storing this kind of information.
8. Install And Update Security Software
Apps can be infected with spyware and other malicious software. Security software, like antimalware apps, can help protect against these threats, but only if it is allowed to do so.
Install good quality security software on your device. Once it’s installed, let the software update, and enable automatic updates. You can set the updates to commence when you aren’t using the phone, for example at night or when you’re at work and can’t access your phone. These updates provide the software with the latest definitions, which it uses to identify and locate spyware. Without the updates, your device is prone to attack from the latest threats.
9. Ensure Your Phone Is Physically Secure
Digital threats aren’t the only threats you face when using apps. Physical threats are also very real.
To avoid these, you will want to ensure you lock your phone when you’re not using it, and never leave your phone unattended in public, even if you’re only nipping to the toilet for a few minutes. Use the phone’s password and biometric security features to help protect your data and your phone.
10. Beware Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are the most common method used by thieves to gain access to personal data. In these attacks, users are encouraged to click links or provide their login credentials to well-known and regularly used apps. Thieves will then use the information to log on to the genuine website.
Phishing scams are commonly shared via email but can also be delivered via text message and even in social media apps, through phone calls, and via spoof apps. Don’t click links in emails and double-check the validity of any contact you receive.
Conclusion
Apps are functional, convenient, and accessible. But, they also offer a direct line to your personal details that hackers and thieves can exploit.
Ensure you use reputable apps from trustworthy sources, ensure your phone’s security software is up to date, and avoid falling foul of phishing and other social engineering scams while using the apps on your mobile devices.