Enhance App Shielding with In-App Protection

 

Mobile devices and app operating systems expose the backend system to cyber threats. Hackers misuse the vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the mobile operating system and applications. Malicious activities have been taking place recently like spying on users, exploiting private information stored on devices, or money theft.

Mobile app developers are building app shielding mechanisms also called application hardening to minimize the chance of reverse engineering or attack on the system. Mobile applications entail in-app protection to prevent attacks on the app and block any fraudulent/malicious cyber activity.

What is app shielding?

App Shielding is an advanced technology that obfuscates and modifies an application’s program line. App shielding enhances an app's tamper-resistant capability, and piracy, spots weaknesses, and protects against intellectual property theft through unauthorized access. It develops a resilient app making it hard to misuse.

App Shielding includes:

 Code Obfuscation

Code obfuscation is an intentional act of altering or modifying source code or machine code which is challenging for humans to understand. Difficult codes are hard to understand which prevents hackers from purpose digging into code to find out potential vulnerabilities.

 Debugging Detection

Incorporating app shielding in an application system detects debugging and prompts necessary actions.

 Jailbreak Detection

App hardening identifies jailbreak or root detection. Jailbreak is detected when an attacker removes restrictions placed by Apple or Google on devices.

 App Tampering

Code obfuscation prevents blocks from reverse engineering the system code, hackers try to reverse the app by hooking it while the application is running. App tampering techniques detect attempts to attack the system or reverse engineer the app while it's running.

What is In-App Protection?

In-app protection and app shielding are two different concepts. In-app protection identifies real-time malware, filtered networks, and operating system threats within the app. In-app protection is when a mobile threat defence mechanism is placed in the mobile application itself. In-app protection shields the backend system from being arbitrated by malware.

In-app protection includes:

 Malware Detection

In-app protection locates all kinds of malware present on the device. They also prompt recommendations to remediate the malware and completely erase it out of the system. Examples of malware are RATs, remote access tools, Bankbot, Cerebus, Anubis, and Monokle have been found in mobile devices.

 Zero Day Detection

In app protection find out bugs that are exploiting the file system and operation system functions. Zero-day detection rigorously monitors vulnerabilities that indicate compromises in the system or application.

 Network or Wi-Fi Mitigation

In-app protection exposes manipulations in network connections or exploitation through Wi-Fi connections. It also identifies MiTM ( Man in The Middle) attacks. Applications built with in-app protection mechanisms should be able to identify SSL stripping, MiTM attacks, or proxy. Network attacks are the most common type of cyber threat occurring in mobile devices worldwide.

Conclusion:

App shielding and In-app protection are essential for the enhanced and advanced security of mobile applications and devices. They both play different roles yet perform the functions efficiently.