Mobile Application Penetration Testing Services

Stay ahead of cyber threats with real-time vulnerability detection led by industry experts

Trusted Penetration Testing Services

CREST approved
PEN TEST approved
Offensive Security OSCP
ISO 27001 certified
Cyber Essentials Certification Body
Cyber Essentials Plus Certification Body

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Why choose Target Defense for mobile app pen testing

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Test Any Platform

We test apps built for iOS, Android and other platforms to ensure security and safety across multiple devices

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Crest Certified Security Experts

All Target Defense security pen testers are independently qualified by industry-recognised certification bodies such as CREST

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Modern Dashboard Driven Platform

Our simple to use dashboard-driven platform prioritises test results and gives you key remediation guidance

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Continuous Automated Protection

Discover new security flaws and protect your business 24/7 with automated scans for continuous security

What is mobile app penetration testing? What is mobile app penetration testing?

What is mobile app penetration testing?

Mobile app penetration testing  is a thorough and methodical review of your mobile application’s cyber security. As a comprehensive security assessment, it helps you find and prioritize your mobile app’s security issues. Today’s business world is mobile-first, which makes the security of your mobile apps of paramount importance to the success of your business. Target Defense’s seasoned penetration testers will hunt down security vulnerabilities in your mobile app and offer advice on how to fix them. 

Benefits of mobile app testing

  • Find Security Flaws

    Pinpoint vulnerabilities such as insecure data storage, input validation issues, and authentication weaknesses

  • Comply with Regulations

    Meet regulatory requirements related to mobile app security, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or industry-specific standards

  • Improve User Trust

    Demonstrating a commitment to security enhances user trust in your mobile application and your organization in general

How does mobile app pen testing work? How does mobile app pen testing work?

How does mobile app pen testing work?

During a mobile application pen test, a qualified Target Defense penetration tester acts as a hacker, using the latest tools and technologies to exploit the mobile device application. The goal is to identify, document, and prioritize all security weaknesses so they can be fixed before cybercriminals exploit them.

We use both dynamic and static application security testing (DAST and SAST) methods. SAST source-code reviews uncover coding errors that could introduce vulnerabilities, securing the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and preventing breaches from the earliest stages.

Mobile penetration testing at Bulletproof Mobile penetration testing at Bulletproof

Advantages of mobile application penetration testing

The widespread use of mobile apps makes them a prime target for cybercriminals. Launching a mobile application with security risks can significantly damage your reputation and finances. Mobile penetration testing with Target Defense helps you identify and understand these risks with your mobile application security, ensuring minimal disruption to your business.

  • Identify vulnerabilities and weak security practices
  • Exploit potential security flaws in your mobile application
  • Reveal insecure functionalities within your application
  • Enhance security across your software development lifecycle
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What common mobile app vulnerabilities do we find?

Target Defense’s penetration testers are experts in their field, with experience in a wide variety of mobile apps. Here are the top 10 most common vulnerabilities we find in our mobile application pen testing:

  1. Mobile Certificate Pinning
  2. SSL Misconfiguration
  3. App Transport Security Disabled
  4. Extraneous Mobile Application Permissions
  5. Installation on Rooted Devices
  6. Application Permissions
  7. Application Debugging
  8. Certificate pinning
  9. Hard-coded keys or credentials
  10. Input validation
70%

of mobile vulnerabilities are easily fixed

1 in 5

of these will be exploited by cyber criminals

What is the difference between web and mobile pen testing?

What is the difference between web and mobile pen testing?

Pentesting mobile apps requires diverse strategies to simulate hacker behavior and test various platforms. In contrast, web application penetration testing relies on robust web browsers, involving real-time, simulated scenarios across multiple browsers on a remote network. The widespread use of mobile apps makes them a prime target for cybercriminals. Launching a mobile application with security risks can significantly damage your reputation and finances. Mobile penetration testing with Target Defense helps you identify and understand these risks, ensuring minimal disruption to your business.


Mobile Application Penetration Testing Services

Mobile Application Penetration Testing Services

Protect your mobile applications with our expert mobile application penetration testing services. Our team of industry professionals provide real-time detection of vulnerabilities, helping you stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. Ensure your app's security and safeguard sensitive data with trusted solutions designed to protect against emerging risks in today’s digital landscape.

Target Defense mobile app pen testing methodology

Target Defense follows industry standard best practices for our penetration testing methodology

Scope definition & pre-engagement interactions

Based on your defined goals, we’ll work with you to develop a tailored testing strategy.

Intelligence gathering & threat modelling

In this reconnaissance stage, our experts use the latest groundbreaking techniques to gather as much security information as possible about the mobile apps in the scope.

Vulnerability analysis

This is the stage where our penetration testers use industry leading tools and sector knowledge to find out what is leaving your cloud assets open to attack.

Exploitation

Using a combination of pre-existing software and custom-made exploits, our cloud pen testers will attempt to infiltrate your remote infrastructure and cloud-based technologies without causing any real-world disruption to your business.

Post-exploitation

The team will determine the risks and pivot to other systems and networks if within the scope of the test. All compromised systems will be thoroughly cleaned of any scripts.

Reporting

Our security team will produce a comprehensive report with their findings. Once received, we’ll invite you for a collaborative read through. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and request further information on key aspects of your test.


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Mobile app testing FAQs

What security vulnerabilities do you search for in a mobile app?

Target Defense uses a combination of sophisticated automated tools and manual expertise to identify security vulnerabilities in mobile apps, including those listed in the OWASP Top 10 for mobile security controls.

  • Improper Platform Usage
  • Insecure Data Storage
  • Insecure Communication
  • Insecure Authentication
  • Insufficient Cryptography
  • Insecure Authorization
  • Client Code Quality
  • Code Tampering
  • Reverse Engineering
  • Extraneous Functionality

Will my business operations be affected during the test?

Testing can be conducted on a non-production replica of your live environment, such as UAT/QA, to avoid risks to live services. If production testing is necessary, we can coordinate to minimize impact. Additionally, you can specify exclusions like no denial of service (DoS) to ensure tests have minimal effect on day-to-day operations.

How long does a typical mobile test take?

  • Small apps, networks, cloud systems: 2-3 days
  • Medium apps, networks, cloud systems: 5-10 days
  • Larger apps, networks, cloud systems: 10 days+

All tests are tailored to your specific needs so use this as a guide only. 

How frequently should mobile apps be tested?

Incorporating mobile app testing into your SDLC ensures continuous security. At a minimum, pen test your mobile app during development and again before launch. It's also advisable to test mobile applications annually and after any major UI or software updates.

Our experts are the ones to trust when it comes to your cyber security