The mobile app as we know today, is involving. The technology, devices, and even us. We are moving to a certain level where mobile is the future of the internet. Today, we hold the internet on our hand. Wherever we go, we bring it. Whatever we do, there is certainly an app to do it easier, better, and faster. This is the beginning of the future. It is something we dream for so long. However, these easiness doesn’t come without flaw. The easier things go, the more vulnerable they become. As we move towards this mobile future, cyber threats are also evolving. They exist here and today. Threatening every user, they seek to exploit user’s personal information and/or damage the device. This is the threat we must deal every day. From a business perspective, the risks are even higher. Both privacy and security are sensitive matters. Your customers seek for perfection. If your mobile app is not private and secure enough, you may end being told as privacy hackers. You still follow that Apple vs. FBI case, don’t you? This is one clear example of our topic here.

We are not exaggerating things here, but I want to tell you this. Your mobile app is your business spearhead. It’s the source of your customer’s loyalty. Keep it private and secure for everyone, then you’ll gain their loyalty. Do the opposite and they’ll fight against you. So, remember this question. Can you trust a company that can’t keep user’s personal information?

You’ve learned about the loyalty and personal aspect. Now, let me show you something more. Business always talks about money, isn’t it? No matter your reasonings are, you can’t deny this truth. Your mobile app is also part of this scheme. No doubt this app can reach more people. The more people you reach, the higher profit you could make. That’s from the profit side. But, what about possible loss? See, more people not just means higher profit. It also means higher possible loss. Your mobile app needs at least one server to manage its data. One of the data is your user’s. If a data breach occurs, can’t you imagine what will happen next? The user’s data will be affected. The more users you have, the more data will be affected. Of course, you can fix the damage. Every company can with today’s resources. However, can you imagine how much you will spend to fix it?

To prevent any loss, this is why you should read this article. We, at VPN Asia, believe that privacy protection happens not only after the incident, but also before and after it. Others may offer you the best way to keep you safe online. They protect you while you’re on the web. But we, at VPN Asia, we protect you forever. We keep you safe before you’re connected to the web. We keep you safe and private while on it. Even after you leave the web, you’ll always be safe with us. This is our stand. This is what we offer to you. And it is how we define the ideal solution. It must be easy, user friendly, convenient, and affordable.

However, we realize that our service is not enough. To create a perfect protection, we need you. Yes, that’s right. It doesn’t matter who you are, we need your help for this. And don’t worry, no technical background is needed. Why? Because there is a simple way you can do. That way is mobile phone authentication.

Your Mobile App Privacy, Security, and Phone Number

There are tons of way to hack someone. But, regardless the way, you need something that identifies your victim. It must be unique to him/her. Now, what do you think is it?

Your phone number.

With mobile phone around the world, almost everyone has a phone number. The fact that there are no two identical numbers are the key element here. That makes phone number as the ultimate ID. It is unique and everywhere. It is impossible for 2 persons to have 1 identical phone number. Yet, behind its uniqueness, every phone number holds tons of personal information. Get anyone’s number and you can find out his/her whole personal life. Home address, work address, email address, telephone number, social number, bank account, even credit card. Add a bit hacking and you can enter his/her personal’s life.

Can you see that? Your device not only has marvelous mobile app, but also a unique ID. Your phone number. From privacy viewpoint, there is no different between your phone number and national ID. They hold the same amount of information, which any hacker can exploit. Tragically, unlike our national ID, many of us share our phone number online. Do you remember doing it? Your Facebook? Twitter? Online Yellow Pages? Blog? Website? My point is everyone can get your number easily. And here is one more. Many of us keep the same number for years. In other words, despite the risks, we give anyone years to hack us. That’s long enough to hack a number.

Mobile Authentication

Now, you know the risks. Those things will happen if someone got your phone number. But, rest easy. With mobile phone authentication, we can eliminate those risks. It is relatively easy for everyone. It’s basically adding another password to your account. It works like two-factor verification. The code is only sent to you. This makes you as the only one who knows both keys. However, two-factor verification itself has a weakness. First, your card may be lost or stolen. Second, someone may have cloned it. Eitherway, the code will be sent not to you. If this happens, everything you do will be useless. You won’t be able to protect your device and all mobile apps in it. You need something better. And that’s why you need mobile authentication. Mobile authentication involves not only OTP, but also the following methods.

Setting expiration times

You can set your PIN or OTP to expire. Once the time reached, the code will self destruct. 1-2 minutes is the best.

Change your password

Some people think they can secure their mobile app and device if they change their password often. Well, here is the fact. It is not always working. Even if you change it, anyone can reset it. Thanks to password reset feature. Many websites provide this feature now. It is supposed to help you recover your password. However, anyone else can also use it. They can just pretend to be you and forget your password. If this happens, you can only rely on your security question. So, make sure no one except you can answer that question. Make sure the answer is not available anywhere except in your mind. Also, try to combine it with numbers, like password. It will be more difficult to guess.

Account changes and upgrade authentication

A hacker will usually change your account login information once he/she got in. It is meant to prevent you from logging in and get the account back. You can prevent this by adding another authentication layer to your account. Set your account to send an authentication code whenever a change is made. With this, you can prevent further lose. Your device and mobile app will be safe.

Login Authentication from New Device

Cyber criminals won’t likely use your device to log into your account. More likely, they will use theirs. This is to prevent any contact between you and them. So, you won’t know them and can’t sue for what they do. To prevent them from doing anything to your account, enable the login authentication on your account. Once enabled, anyone accessing your account from a new device will require an authentication code. This code should be known only to you. And because of this, you must make sure that none other than you has access to this code. I would recommend sending the code to your alternative number. It can be someone else’s number. Someone you know and trust. Keep it secret and never talk about it. So, no one will ever know about it. As long as you keep it hidden, your account will be safe.

Transaction Authentication Based on Behavioral Differences

Hacking usually involves monetizing. This happens a lot, especially on devices with e-pay system. This system was meant to make everything easier. With the mobile app, transaction can be made anywhere at any time. With just few taps, everything can be done. However, with easiness comes vulnerabilities. I told you about that. The easier things go, the more vulnerable they are. If a hacker ever got into your device, he would target this mobile app. For example, let’s say you got PayPal mobile app on your device. If your device got hacked, the fraudster can log into your account. From there, he would make purchases as much as he want. If you never regularly check your account, you will see nothing. Everything would seem normal. Well, at least until you get the report. At that moment, I doubt there is anything you can do.

That’s why, you must do something to avoid that. Let’s leave the money. It’s not the most important thing here. The only matter is how you manage your information and account. Most bank and online payment providers today can help you with this. Ask them to suspend any suspicious transaction and alert you. If this transaction was made by you, they can simply proceed. The question is, what if it doesn’t? Well, that’s simple. The alert will notify you. Then, you can ask the bank to deny them. Soon after, you can proceed with all the security protocols. Change your password, recovery question, phone number etc. Do as much as you can to prevent it from happening again.

Perhaps, it will take time, especially with the bank. But, that time worth it. The time you’d spend is worth protecting your device and payment mobile app. Don’t lose any or you’ll lose your life.