So what’s occurring with the utilization of public Wi-Fi and the use of mobile apps that developers need to warn their users about?

Mobile apps get used just about anywhere. They log in to bank accounts at airports, order meals at coffee shops, answer emails from their jobs at hotels, and do shopping at train stations. Most of these activities are undertaken over public WiFi since it is “free” and “convenient”.

There is a problem with that: convenience can be a security problem! While public Wi-Fi hotspots can often appear secure, they are not always. While all developers do what they can to put their application to work and create a secure network, there are plenty of users falling for the misfortune of being on a WiFi network they didn’t secure. Hence, the security of Mobile apps has become a thing beyond just programming code. It’s also an educational piece and getting people to make safer decisions.

Consistently and clearly reporting how risks impact them at the edges of code: builds trust and safer experiences for everyone.

Why Public Wi-Fi Is Still a Security Concern

Despite the best intentions of public Wi-Fi, it remains a security risk.

Just about any other place has public Wi-Fi and not all of these networks are respectable. There are those that are not protected properly, and others that are set by hackers posing as a “free Wi-Fi” hotspot.

A fake WiFi might be called a name that is very similar to the name of a café, an airport or a hotel hotspot. Once connected, attackers can spy on Internet traffic, send the users to a fake logon screen or even attempt to grab the individual’s information.

While there are fewer risk factors associated with encrypted applications, public networks can still be used as grounds for phishing attempts, malware delivery, session hijacking, and data interception, if those security measures aren’t robust.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) suggests using encrypted connections to guard particular data and avoiding busy actions on public networks if there is no protection.

Why Developers Should Care

Knowing that network security is the user’s responsibility – many Developers believe this. It’s an outdated way of doing things.

Users tend to think that if the application loses their login details while connected via an unsafe network, they should not blame the Wi-Fi provider. If the app itself was not directly involved in that, then it results in broken trust.

If the mobile application is secure, it should be able to help keep users safe even if they make less-than-stellar security choices.

Common Risks Users Face

Public Wi-Fi poses multiple problems that any programmer ought to be familiar with.

• Fake Hotspots: A very typical risk is fake Hotspots. Attackers set up wireless networks with names that you recognize, such as “Airport Free Wi-Fi” or “Coffee Shop Guest.” Users log on regardless of whether the network is legitimate.
• Session Hijacking: Another problem is that of session hijacking. Inappropriate application protection of user sessions can cause an attacker to potentially create and steal application authentication tokens (app tokens) from user accounts without the user knowing the password.
• Phishing Attacks: Phishing is also an attack that users are susceptible to. Security lapses can be used to arrange impersonated logon screens on an unsecured public WiFi network to trick customers into providing their logon information and account details.

Always Use Encrypted Connections

You are always asked if you would like to proceed to always use encrypted connections.

All applications should use secure (HTTPS) communications between applications and servers.

While data is in transit from the consumer device to your servers and back, it’s secure through encryption. If the data isn’t encrypted, those within the network could try to steal sensitive data.

In addition, developers need to make the correct certificate validation, further minimizing the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks.

One of the key areas that the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) points to for mobile developers to pay attention to is insecure network communication.

Encourage Strong Authentication

If people can access these attempts to log in to the system, adding another layer of authentication can minimize the damage.

Another line of defence is to employ multi-factor authentication, which enforces a second-step check for users to verify their identity.

It’s important for developers to educate and urge users to set up MFA at registration and not after they have received a suspicious activity alert.

In addition to being more convenient for users, modern methods for authentication are more secure and provide an added benefit of increased security.

Warn Users Inside the App

Security messages need NOT be so intrusive.

Simple notifications can help remind users when they’re using unfamiliar networks or when they are trying to perform sensitive tasks, such as changing passwords or paying.

Examples include:

• Warning before financial transactions are made using public WiFi.
• A pop-up message to prompt the user to have multi-factor authentication set up.
• Notify of logins from foreign devices/locations.

Helping information given at the right time is more influential than lengthy security documents, which are not even examined.

Protect Sensitive User Data

Connect with any other instance of SAP Business One through a proxy server.

All networks have the potential to become compromised – this is an assumption that should be made by all developers.

This indicates that:

• only minimal sensitive data is kept on the devices
• data on the device is encrypted
• the passwords are replaced by secure authentication tokens

There should be an automatic invalidation of user sessions when they go idle or do not have access to the Internet, and systems should provide users with a list of devices that have been logged into their accounts in their account settings.

Tiny security enhancements like this minimize damage in the event that the attackers get some kind of fleeting access.

Should Developers Recommend VPNs?

Some have asked themselves if VPNs make public Wi-Fi connections more secure.

A VPN will hide all data traffic being sent by a user back and forth with the internet from the VPN server, so it becomes harder for an intruder to track what a user does when using a public network.

A VPN can’t be a substitute for secure app creation, but it can be a layer of security for users who tend to be on the move or work remotely frequently.

The VPNpro.com VPN testing team carefully analyzes VPN services with crypto protocols, performance, privacy & security, and third-party testing platforms, so users can take a minute to weigh the options and select the ideal VPN provider for their needs.

Keep Security Updates Coming

Edge is just getting started with launching a secure app.

The operating system updates, the software libraries get updated annually, and new vulnerabilities emerge, as well.

Security alerts from the developers, maintaining the apps’ dependency versions and alerting users to install the new version.

Google also says all apps should be refreshable and update any new security flaws discovered by attackers before they do.

Build Security Into the User Experience

Security shouldn’t be an impediment. The best applications give user protection without causing a lot of “noise” and will provide an explanation when you need to do something.

There’s straightforward login verification, assured communication through encryption, safe session management, and prudent confidentiality settings, all of which offer peace of mind without compromising user-friendliness.

Having the user feel this sense of security increases the probability that they will use the app and will tell others about it as well.

Conclusion

Because it is convenient, ubiquitous and public Wi-Fi is going to be around for a long time. Meanwhile, it still poses the threat to mobile application developers that cannot be disregarded. Although a developer cannot prevent users from using any network, it could create an application that would minimize risk by incorporating all or most of the following: Encryption, Secure Authentication, Session Protection, and Security Instructions.

Not only is educating the user about the dangers of public Wi-Fi a good security practice, it is also essential. It’s a component of providing a better product. If users know that the developer made the app safe, he or she educates users and helps them stay safe, they are comfortable in using the app even if they are in a public place, such as in an airport, hotel, café, or anywhere else.

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