The Importance of SSL Certificate in Mobile Applications
SSL Certificates Are For More Than Just Desktop Users
When talking about SSL certification, people often talk about desktop websites. However, mobile application security certification is now just as important, if not more so.
According to a study conducted by internet monitoring firm StatCounter, mobile internet and app use has successfully overtaken desktop or computer use. In 2016, mobile phones accounted for 51.3% of internet usage and desktops accounted for 48.7%. And this number continues rising. The latest study by GSMA intelligence finds that 5 billion people across the globe are using mobile phones, and this number is about to rise to a staggering 6.1 billion by 2020. Furthermore, over 90% of time people spend on their phones is on some app.
Mobile phone apps now contain extremely personal and sensitive information such as bank account details, personal addresses, etc. As such, effective security measures for app development must be taken to prevent the data or information from being compromised.
In this article, we’ll show you exactly why mobile application security certification is important, what are the threats and what are the security measures for app development. As you’ll see, purchasing a wildcard SSL certificate or SAN SSL certificate are the best ways to keep your mobile internet usage safe.
Mobile Application Security Certification
The Importance of Mobile Application Security Certification
The following are some of the most important reasons for mobile application security certification.
- Most people now conduct their banking through online apps. When you enter your password for your banking app or when you enter your banking details, malicious third-parties can gain information to your information. The only way to prevent that is to make sure the apps carry mobile application security certification.
- Without proper mobile application security certification, all your online apps become vulnerable. As such, your mobile is more prone to being hacked by third-parties. This could lead to private and sensitive information leaking out.
Threats Associated with Mobile App Security
- Malware: These are applications that can make malicious changes to your phone. They can change your data, send the hacker access to your phone, or do other sinister activities.
- Spyware: These are applications that secretly spy on your phone and collect private information such as text messages, call histories, internet usage data, location, etc. This information can then be used by the hacker for identity theft or financial fraud.
- Privacy Threats: Applications that gain access to your location, cell phone usage history, etc, and sell it to interested third-parties.
- Vulnerable Applications: These are applications that aren’t malicious themselves, but they can be manipulated by other hackers to gain access to your phone.
You need to make sure you use mobile application security certification so that your phone isn’t left vulnerable to the aforementioned threats.
Security Measures for Users
- Only use mobile apps that you know are trustworthy and safe. Only download apps from reliable developers.
- Install a Mobile Security App into your phone so you can be protected from various threats.
- If you use banking apps, do so after activating a virtual private network. They can conceal your IP address and make it safer for you to use the apps.
Security Measures for App Development
The only way to ensure that your mobile app is completely secure is to purchase an SSL certificate. These provide HTTPS to your app and assure the users that your mobile app is safe to use.
You should get an SSL certificate for all your websites regardless of whether they are accessed by phones, tablets, or laptops. If your site is enabled with an organization name and the padlock, it can boost your reliability and ensure that users’ data won’t be compromised when they use your app.
You should also update all your protocols regularly so that you can get ahead of the hackers.
Wildcard SSL Certificate and SAN SSL Certificate
The best way to prevent hackers from infiltrating your mobile app or website is to purchase and use either the Wildcard SSL Certificate or SAN (Subject Alternate Name) SSL Certificate.
Both the Wildcard SSL Certificate and SAN SSL Certificate are effective in protecting your websites and mobile apps. However, they differ in the following ways:
- SAN SSL Certificates can simultaneously secure up to 250 fully qualified domain names along with all their subdomains. Furthermore, you don’t need to add all the domains when you get the certificate, you can keep adding them as and when needed.
- Wildcard SSL Certificates are those that can secure a single fully qualified domain name along with all of their subdomains. This is a great choice for you if you have only one primary website with several subdomains.
The Right Options
Both the Wildcard SSL Certificate and SAN SSL Certificate are effective in protecting your websites and mobile apps. However, they differ in the following ways:
Depending on how many websites you need to secure, you can get either the Wildcard SSL Certificate or SAN SSL Certificate.
In addition to these, if you require users to provide sensitive details like bank information, you should purchase the Wildcard or SAN certificate with Extended Validation (EV). These provide the highest badge of approval to your website or app, assuring the users of your safety. When your users access your website in the web browser, they’ll also see the verified company name in the browser address bar, which instantly makes people feel safer about trusting a website.
Having said that, the final decision regarding mobile application security certification is yours to make. Go through all the options and choose wisely.