What is Secure Communication?
Secure communication means the channels through which the device exchanges data are secure and trustworthy. These communication channels include APIs, VPNs, WiFi connections, Secure communication controls to Detect Runtime Attacks, proxies, etc.
Secure communication in devices means encryption, authentication, and integrity checks to ensure that the data transmitted between endpoints remains private and safe. Insecure communication can lead to data leaks (MitM), eavesdropping, and other threats. Apps running on devices without secure communication can lead to many threats like app data leaks, unauthorised access and transactions, etc.
Secure communication controls to detect runtime attacks:
Unsecured WiFi Detection: It detects when the app connects to open or unsafe WiFi networks and blocks data transmission to prevent interception attacks.
Packet Sniffing Detection: It identifies active packet-sniffing tools attempting to capture app traffic and immediately triggers protection mechanisms.
SSL Pinning: It ensures the app only communicates with trusted servers. It prevents MITM attacks.
API Tampering detection: Monitor and block unauthorised modifications of API requests.
Proxy Detection: It detects the use of intercepting proxies that attackers use to manipulate or inspect app communications.
VPN Detection: It identifies VPN usage that may hide malicious activity.
To learn more about these security features, refer to the above cards.
How to protect applications from insecure communication:
Insecure communication exposes applications to data leaks, session hijacking, and man-in-the-middle attacks (MitM). To prevent this, applications must actively monitor and control how data is transmitted between the app, APIs, and backend systems.
To secure your mobile application, you must consider these security points:
- Mandate transport layer security (TLS).
- Embed certificate pinning.
- Never transmit sensitive data in URLs or via insecure protocols.
- Perform strict SSL chain verification.
- Use strong authentication methods.
- Verify data integrity on the backend.
- Add a security solution to your application.
A RASP solution like Bugsmirror Defender protects the application from insecure communication by continuously detecting risky network conditions and blocking threats in real-time. When integrated with the app, it acts as a shield and identifies insecure WiFi connections, packet sniffing attempts, malicious proxies, and VPN-based abuse and protects the app by shutting it down in an insecure environment.
Secure communication is the foundation of application security. Communication channels are always easy targets for attackers; thus, end-to-end communication security becomes necessary.