Mobile Security Tips and Best Practices 📱
Tags: mobsf, mobilesecurityframework, security, mobile
Published: 2021-08-03 17:19:16

It’s tough to stay secure nowadays, and that task is, even more intimidating now that we heavily rely on smartphones and mobile gadgets. A plethora of information such as personal social media accounts, emails, sensitive messages, and even bank details are being stored on our smartphones. This data tends to be very sensitive and may contain valuable information, yet we store it despite its future consequences.

Mobile technology is evolving rapidly. In 2008, Mary Meeker, an analyst at Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers, made a bold prediction, “Mobile to overtake fixed internet access by 2014”. Well, in 2021, we can undoubtedly say that she was absolutely right. Today, more than half of the population worldwide access the internet via mobile devices, while only 48 - 49% do so via laptops/desktops/tablets.

![MobileVsDesktop](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pd05mbq7s8bx5091rdyu.png)


Most internet traffic comes from smartphone devices; most business-to-business deals are made through smartphones. Social media usage also tends to happen only on smartphones. Therefore, a business without a mobile or smartphone app is not an effective business at all. Literally, millions and billions of users are active on the internet, primarily through their smartphone devices.

So, it unlocks the gate of potential risk and security threats because of this massive user base. Hence, understanding the mobile security framework and protecting yourself plays a vital role in maximizing profits and minimizing potential risks or threats.

# Understanding Security Frameworks.

The information security framework is a dedicated security layer in conjunction with third-party software, which can be used to safeguard privacy.

There are five common security frameworks. They are as follows:

1 .ISO 27001 and ISO 27002

It was created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 certifications are considered the international standard for validating a cybersecurity program internally and across third parties applications.

2 . SOC2

Service Organization Control (SOC)  is a trust-based cybersecurity framework and auditing standard created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to help verify that vendors and partners securely manage client data.

3 . NERC-CIP

North American Electric Reliability Corporation - Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC-CIP) is a set of cybersecurity standards designed to help those in the utility and power sector reduce cyber risk and ensure the reliability of bulk electric systems.

4 . HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a cybersecurity framework that requires healthcare organizations to implement controls for securing and protecting the privacy of electronic health information.

5 . GDPR

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a security framework adopted in 2016 to strengthen data protection procedures for European Union citizens.

A security framework is a specific control and standard that helps to keep big business and government bodies safe from cyber-attacks.

# Understanding Mobile Security Frameworks.

The mobile security framework is also a dedicated security layer in conjunction with third-party software, which can be used to safeguard privacy. Except, it specializes only in the field to protect smartphone/mobile device users. Developing and maintaining a strong mobile security framework is a very crucial business because the use of mobile is continuing to skyrocket day by day.

According to the survey created by Statista, there were around 218 billion mobile application downloads alone in 2020, and this number is projected only to grow every year. This kind of skyrocketing growth creates massive opportunities to run businesses and for hackers and cybercriminals.


![AppDownloadInBillions](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2c4c4dr680vt4s3jyto3.png)

Cybercriminals and hackers are simply trailing the big numbers, taking significant advantage of the security loopholes and backdoors. Windows PCs are more likely to get hacked than Macs because there are a greater number of Windows PCs than Macs. Therefore, cybercriminals or hackers are more likely to spend more time perfecting and polishing their malware/virus and attacking Windows-based personal computers because there are more numbers out there to steal from. The same goes for Android vs. iOS. Android device users are more likely to suffer from security threats or attacks than iOS users because Android has a massive user base and is entirely open-source. Its entire source code is available for free/open to anyone accessing and developing apps using it.

In contrast, Apple iOS is a closed source. Even to publish a simple application, developers must verify themselves and go through the rigorous application process to publish their apps on the iOS platform. Therefore, iOS applications tend to suffer from fewer security threats. But iOS is also not entirely secure from security threats and loopholes.

![CveVulnerabilities](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2arpwgzt076nk8khavhx.png)
# Testing Mobile Security Frameworks.

The importance of mobile security is increasing day by day and becoming more crucial than ever. That is why developers have created mobile security frameworks and even open-sourced them. Whether you run Android/ iOS or any other kind of mobile OS, this pen-test software is destined and designed to mark and test the efficiency of the mobile app. MobSF is one of the very best, handy and easy-to-use tools. It is an entirely free and open-source tool that helps perform the security assessment of mobile/smartphone applications. MobSF provides excellent services like pen-testing, malware analysis, and security assessment.

Penetration testing using MobSF is straightforward. Simply drag & drop the Android apk or iOS application in the analyzer panel.

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