Android Application Security Essentials

Write secure Android applications using the most up-to-date techniques and concepts

Overview

• Understand Android security from kernel to the application layer
• Protect components using permissions
• Safeguard user and corporate data from prying eyes
• Understand the security implications of mobile payments, NFC, and more

In Detail

In today’s techno-savvy world, more and more parts of our lives are going digital, and all this information is accessible anytime and anywhere using mobile devices. It is of the utmost importance that you understand and implement security in your apps that will reduce the likelihood of hazards that will wreck your users’ experience.

“Android Application Security Essentials” takes a deep look into Android security from kernel to the application level, with practical hands-on examples, illustrations, and everyday use cases. This book will show you how to overcome the challenge of getting the security of your applications right.

“Android Application Security Essentials” will show you how to secure your Android applications and data. It will equip you with tricks and tips that will come in handy as you develop your applications.

We will start by learning the overall security architecture of the Android stack. Securing components with permissions, defining security in a manifest file, cryptographic algorithms and protocols on the Android stack, secure storage, security focused testing, and protecting enterprise data on your device is then also discussed in detail. You will also learn how to be security-aware when integrating newer technologies like NFC and mobile payments into your Android applications.

At the end of this book, you will understand Android security at the system level all the way to the nitty-gritty details of application security for securing your Android applications.

What you will learn from this book

• Get familiar with Android security architecture
• Secure Android components using permissions
• Implement cryptography algorithms and protocols to secure your data
• Protect user information both at rest and in transit
• Test apps for security
• Understand security considerations for upcoming use cases like NFC and mobile payments
• Guard the corporate data of enterprises apps

Approach

“Android Application Security Essentials” is packed with examples, screenshots, illustrations, and real world use cases to secure your apps the right way.

Who this book is written for

If you are looking for guidance and detailed instructions on how to secure app data, then this book is for you. Developers, architects, managers, and technologists who wish to enhance their knowledge of Android security will find this book interesting. Some prior knowledge of development on the Android stack is desirable but not required.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Android Security Model – the Big Picture
Chapter 2: Application Building Blocks
Chapter 3: Permissions
Chapter 4: Defining the Application’s Policy File
Chapter 5: Respect Your Users
Chapter 6: Your Tools – Crypto APIs
Chapter 7: Securing Application Data
Chapter 8: Android in the Enterprise
Chapter 9: Testing for Security
Chapter 10: Looking into the Future