How to Protect Your Mobile Commerce Apps in 2023| App Owners’ Guide

Mobile devices nowadays allow us to do almost everything with just a simple click; we can access multimedia, social media and even allow us to transfer and pay to anyone. We can do online banking, access files remotely, store thousands of Gigabytes of data, Track our fitness, and control internet of thing devices in our home.

Mobile banking and online shopping are very convenient and fun; however, only 65% of people use these apps. The main reason for this is lack of trust; People usually believe that our data and money will not be secure if we link them to our mobile. This distrust is caused by the number of issues people have faced in the last few years. Mobile App Development service helps the business owners come closer to the audiences.

The internet is full of surprises, and people usually become the victim of the darker side of the internet and lose their trust in the result. We have to keep in mind that if you have an apple and people are hungry; then they will do everything to get their hands on that apple. The best way to keep your apple secure is to hide it or stay away from these people. It is an illustrative example of the condition we are facing today.

Everything looks pleasant, but the thing is, everything has its pros and cons. You can’t expect this many features with just one click away without any consequences. Let’s talk about the most crucial arena- the Mobile Commerce app.

Mobile App Designhas to be in simple language and in every app there has anything or something with money. Whether it’s a UPI app or an E-commerce app, all the apps that deal with money come in this niche.

However, it’s very crucial to keep your financial details and Money safe while using these apps. Here we have methods that will ensure that your financial details are safe and you are using the Genuine app with a secure data structure.

These tips will help you to keep your financial information safe while using these apps.

I have compiled the tips in the section so make sure you go through all of them.

Use an official app: always use an official app available on your mobile app store because the official developers of the app have to sign the number of legal documents and verification to launch their app on any trusted store. The app store itself verifies the authenticity and frequently checks the issues reported by the users.

Permissions: Make sure your app is asking for relevant permissions and don’t give permission that is irrelevant with the use of that app. financial apps usually ask for Cameras, location, and contacts, and these permissions are relevant because the app needs these permissions to work. But some apps ask for irrelevant permissions. Let’s take an example of a music player app; this app doesn’t need your location and contact because it’s not relevant. If any app asks for any irrelevant permission, then uninstall it and download any other authentic app. By this, you can be saved from fraud and duplicate apps that steal data and use that data for malicious purposes.

Fake apps are everywhere on the internet; make sure you use the right one. Never download any app from an unknown source, we have this setting turned off by default, and many apps that we download from the browser ask to change it. Avoid these apps and safely use authentic apps.

So got the right app? Now what?

Two factor-authentication: Many apps provide this helpful feature to verify the person using the app. This feature offers an additional layer of security for your financial and personal data. All you need Is the registered contact number or email to verify that it’s you.

Two Factor-authentication is an extra step in the login page where you have to add an OTP or downloaded Login one-time usage codes, and you need the registered mobile number to verify that the account belongs to you. You can set this feature from the setting, and from the next time, you will be asked to enter the OTP sent on your registered number to verify your identity.

l This feature indeed comes in handy when it comes to mobile banking apps; you need 30 seconds to verify your identity.

 Your app is safe now; what next? 

Set a screen lock: Setting a screen lock in your phone makes it impossible for any other person to get access to your phone without permission. Passwords, patterns, and pins are indeed secure but not 100%. Nowadays, many phones offer intelligent features like face unlocks, retina scanners, and fingerprint scanners for quick login and to add an extra layer of protection to your phone.

Biometric locks are always a go-go. Biometric locks are highly secure and very difficult to bypass; coping with your biometric data and use it to open your phone is extremely difficult, and most people don’t know about this.

You should also set an app lock for your m-commerce apps to make sure security. Your phone must have this feature, so all you need is to set it up. Using a Biometric app lock makes sure that no unauthorized person gets access to your app.

Now, you have 2 Biometric security layers in your phone, the first one is the screen lock, and the second one is the app lock.

To be extra cautious, you can also hide your apps and personal files using Vaults. These apps allow you to mask the personal stuff and apps to make sure nobody gets to them. You will be the only person who knows how to access that particular app and data.

You have to enter a secret code at a particular place to get access.

So, your phone is secured by a screen and app lock. What about the network. 

Safety regarding public WIFI: Many places offer accessible Wi-Fi___33 facilities where users are using the same package delivery system. It’s effortless for the hackers to change these packages and send you the wrong one with an exploit or download the login details you entered in for any transaction. So, it’s better to use a secure network while working with m-commerce apps, Free Wi-Fi___33 is good for movies and stuff, but it’s a big No for financial relation work. Public Wi-Fi___33 is undoubtedly a handy thing, but they aren’t as secure as you expect. So, you should set the Wi-Fi___33 setting off and only turn it on when you need it, or you trust the Wi-Fi___33 connection.

Phones have this setting in the Wi-Fi___33 section where you can add trusted networks, so your phone will notify you whenever you are near that network.

Always check your network before using doing any financial transaction. Make sure you are connected with the secured network and have all the necessary precautions.

Prefer using a mobile network whenever you are doing a financial transaction.

So, let’s come back to apps again. 

Check your statements: Mobile apps are indeed handy, and you enjoy using them a lot but keep in mind that they can be used by remote access, and someone might be doing the transactions you are not aware of. Checking your statements more frequently eliminates the risk of missing these transactions.

If any unauthorized transaction is there, then instantly filing a complaint and transfer the money to the secure account. Don’t forget to inform your bank regarding this transaction; you may get your money back.

Log in to the app more frequently for authentication: Many apps have a Feature called Verify Device, in which the app asks for the OTP to verify it’s you and log out the account from any other device. Don’t be mistaken this with Two factor-authentication, and Both things are different.

Keep the app updated for better protection: Keeping your app updated to the latest version makes sure that you have the latest security patch and latest exploit prevention system. App developers are working contentiously to ensure that their app is secure and provide regular updates with the latest modifications.

Many apps have flaws in them, so here is a tip.

Keep the app updated: Updating your app to the latest version provide extra protection from the latest fraud methods, glitches, and other kinds of exploits. Updating an app can be a hassle sometimes, so you should enable the Auto-update feature in your respected app store, and this will ensure that you have the latest version of the app.

Report the issue: If you face any point in the app, raise a ticket or call customer care for the solution. Sometimes, these issues can cause you a significant and irreversible problem; make sure you report every case to the app developers and place a review on the app store to help others download the app.

Keep a steady contact with them until your issue is not resolved. Sometimes customer care doesn’t respond well due to some reason, so all you can do is keep a steady conversation with them to make sure that they resolve your issue soon.

What if you lose your phone or someone stole it?

Device manager: install a device manager app from your respected app store and keep the login details in mind. You can download it from PlayStation, or you might have it reinstalled on your device.

These apps allow you to track your lost phone with 95% accuracy and enable you to do some small actions. If you lose your phone, then the chances are that you will not file a complaint to the authorities, so it would be the best way to find your phone by yourself.

You can track your phone’s GPS location from any device with your login credentials; all you need is to set it up and remember your credentials.

If someone stole your phone, then all you can do is format everything in the phone to prevent the malicious use of the data. Device manager allows you to format your phone entirely from a remote location with just one click, and your data will be wiped out from the device whenever someone is using the device.

These apps also allow you to project your details and custom message on the lock screen to contact the person who found your phone. If you lost your phone and someone found it, then the best way to get them is by this feature.

You should always use the latest version of everything related to your phone.

Security and UI updates: Phone companies consistently provide security patch updates to ensure you are secure. Hackers find the vulnerabilities in the old operating system, and the best way to eliminate this risk is by keeping your phone updated to the latest version available.

Keep your setting to auto-update for better comfort. Sometimes we forget to update the phone manually, so it’s better to keep the settings to auto. Whenever there is any update available for your phone, it will be downloaded automatically, and a notification will inform you. Keep your Phone UI updated for the latest features and security options.

Also, keep your UI minimal to keep a check on any unauthentic app downloaded on your phone remotely. Sometimes due to crowded screens, we don’t notice any unwanted app that has been installed by someone either remotely or manually. Keeping UI minimal helps to find these apps, and you can uninstall them before any damage.

Hackers search for vulnerabilities, and mobile companies search for methods to cope with them, so relax and set the settings to auto-update and download.

One of the most important this is that you should refrain from clicking any link you find on the internet or in a chatbot. It could be anything like a Phishing link or an exploit sent by a hacker; look for any inconsistency in the link. Keeping your details safe is the foremost priority, and these tips will help you keep your device safe.