Search icon CANCEL
Subscription
0
Cart icon
Your Cart (0 item)
Close icon
You have no products in your basket yet
Save more on your purchases! discount-offer-chevron-icon
Savings automatically calculated. No voucher code required.
Arrow left icon
Explore Products
Best Sellers
New Releases
Books
Videos
Audiobooks
Learning Hub
Newsletter Hub
Free Learning
Arrow right icon
timer SALE ENDS IN
0 Days
:
00 Hours
:
00 Minutes
:
00 Seconds
Android Application Security Essentials
Android Application Security Essentials

Android Application Security Essentials: Security has been a bit of a hot topic with Android so this guide is a timely way to ensure your apps are safe. Includes everything from Android security architecture to safeguarding mobile payments.

eBook
$26.09 $28.99
Paperback
$39.19 $48.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Renews at $19.99p/m

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Redeem a companion digital copy on all Print orders
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Shipping Address

Billing Address

Shipping Methods
Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

Android Application Security Essentials

Chapter 2. Application Building Blocks

This chapter focuses on the building blocks of an Android application, namely, the application components and the inter-component communication. There are four types of components in the Android system: Activities, Services, Broadcast Receivers, and Content Providers. Each component is specially designed to accomplish a specific task. A collection of these components makes an Android application. These components talk to each other using Intents which is Android's mechanism for inter-process communication.

There are several books that discuss how to build Android components and Intents. In fact, the Android developer website does a pretty good job introducing programming using these components as well. So in this chapter, instead of covering the implementation details, our objective is to discuss the security aspects of each component and how to define and use component and Intents securely in an application to protect our reputation...

Application components

As we have briefly touched in Chapter 1, Android Security Model – the Big Picture, an Android application is a loosely bound stack of application components. Application components, manifest file, and application resources are packaged in an Application Package Format .apk file. An APK file is essentially a ZIP file formatted in JAR file format. The Android system only recognizes the APK format, so all packages have to be in the APK format to be installed on the Android device. An APK file is then signed with the developer's signature to assert the authorship. The PackageManager class handles the task of installing and uninstalling the application.

In this section, we will talk about the security of each of the components in detail. This includes the declaration of a component in the manifest file, so we prune loose ends and other security considerations that are unique to each component.

Activity

An Activity is the application component that usually interacts...

Intents

Intents are Android's mechanism for inter-component communication. Intents are asynchronous so components fire them off and it is the onus of the receiving component to validate the incoming Intent's data and act upon it. Intents are used by the Android system for starting an Activity or Service, for communicating with a Service, to broadcast events or changes, for receiving notifications using pending Intents, and to query the Content Provider.

There are different mechanisms to handle Intents for each component. So, the Intents sent out to Activities, Services, and Broadcast Receivers are only sent to their respective counterparts by the Android system. For example, an event sent out to start an Activity using Context.startActivity() will resolve only Activities matching the Intent criterion. Similarly, a broadcast sent out using Context.sendBroadcast() will be received only by receivers and not by other components.

Before an Intent is sent out, it is important to check...

Summary

In this chapter, we reviewed the four components of an Android system—Activities, Services, Content Providers, and Broadcast Receivers, and inter-component communication mechanisms—Intents and Binders. Security begins with secure declaration of these components. As is the general rule with security, exposing the minimum is always a good idea. All Android components are protected by permissions. Intents are asynchronous components and should always validate their input. Intent Filters are a good way to reduce the attack surface of an application, but an explicit Intent can still send Intents to it. Now that we understand the Android components and communication mechanism, let's move on to the next chapter to review Android permissions in detail.

Left arrow icon Right arrow icon

Key benefits

  • 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

Description

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.

Who is this book 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.

What you will learn

  • 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
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to United States

Economy delivery 10 - 13 business days

Free $6.95

Premium delivery 6 - 9 business days

$21.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Country selected
Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Aug 21, 2013
Length: 218 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781849515603
Vendor :
Google
Category :
Languages :
Tools :

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Redeem a companion digital copy on all Print orders
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Shipping Address

Billing Address

Shipping Methods
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to United States

Economy delivery 10 - 13 business days

Free $6.95

Premium delivery 6 - 9 business days

$21.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Publication date : Aug 21, 2013
Length: 218 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781849515603
Vendor :
Google
Category :
Languages :
Tools :

Packt Subscriptions

See our plans and pricing
Modal Close icon
$19.99 billed monthly
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Simple pricing, no contract
$199.99 billed annually
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just $5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts
$279.99 billed in 18 months
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just $5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts

Frequently bought together


Stars icon
Total $ 113.57 141.97 28.40 saved
Android Application Security Essentials
$39.19 $48.99
Android Security Cookbook
$39.19 $48.99
Asynchronous Android
$35.19 $43.99
Total $ 113.57 141.97 28.40 saved Stars icon

Table of Contents

11 Chapters
1. The Android Security Model – the Big Picture Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Application Building Blocks Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Permissions Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Defining the Application's Policy File Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Respect Your Users Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. Your Tools – Crypto APIs Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Securing Application Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Android in the Enterprise Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Testing for Security Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Looking into the Future Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon 4
(2 Ratings)
5 star 0%
4 star 100%
3 star 0%
2 star 0%
1 star 0%
Shaju Mathew Feb 17, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon 4
The first four chapters are rudimentary, with some specific topics not discussed commonly in other books such as: how to share data across multiple packages by running as the same user-id, underlying Linux kernel & dalvik details, binder mechanism. The second half of the book(Chapter 6 - 10) are specific to Android Security. Chapter 5 gets into Android mobile security aspects in detail, and discusses relevant topics such as storage, DRM(applicable to tablet streaming devices/applications like the Kindle, netflix). Chapter 6 deals with encryption, RSA hash, etc that are relevant to real-world android applications. Chapter 7 reviews mechanisms to do property-store & caching using native Android features. Chapter 8 discusses DeviceAdmin features, and Chapter 9 focuses on security-focused testing. The last chapter discusses futuristic advances in the field.Overall, a useful book with a focus on security aspects on Android.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Luca Morettoni Dec 07, 2013
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon 4
I don't totally agree with the author in the section "Who this book is for" where she wrote "This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in mobile security", I think every developer (not only the Android ones) need to develop every piece of code with the security concepts in mind!Our application need to be fast, beautiful but also secure! Think about all the personal information that we have in out phone or tablet, open any possible door to malicious apps could be a nightmare!In the book, after a brief introduction on Android application concepts, you start to analize every part of an application under the security point of view, in the book you can also find two good chapters about the crypto API and the security tests. I hope in the future editions of the book the author could expand this two parts with more examples and code snippets!The best chapter is the 7th, about the securing of application data. Every Android application store a lot of user information and is very easy to loose your device: if you're working on an application that store credit card informations or other sensible data (like medical informations or enterprise access tokens) this chapter will drive you to choice which information store and how to secure the storage!At the end of the book you have also a very nice chapter about the "future" of the mobile system and some discussion about the security perspective.Finally, the book is a good reading about the security over Android application, is not the reference guide about crypto API but is a great reading about security best practices.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Get free access to Packt library with over 7500+ books and video courses for 7 days!
Start Free Trial

FAQs

What is the digital copy I get with my Print order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

When you buy any Print edition of our Books, you can redeem (for free) the eBook edition of the Print Book you’ve purchased. This gives you instant access to your book when you make an order via PDF, EPUB or our online Reader experience.

What is the delivery time and cost of print book? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela
What is custom duty/charge? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customs duty are charges levied on goods when they cross international borders. It is a tax that is imposed on imported goods. These duties are charged by special authorities and bodies created by local governments and are meant to protect local industries, economies, and businesses.

Do I have to pay customs charges for the print book order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The orders shipped to the countries that are listed under EU27 will not bear custom charges. They are paid by Packt as part of the order.

List of EU27 countries: www.gov.uk/eu-eea:

A custom duty or localized taxes may be applicable on the shipment and would be charged by the recipient country outside of the EU27 which should be paid by the customer and these duties are not included in the shipping charges been charged on the order.

How do I know my custom duty charges? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The amount of duty payable varies greatly depending on the imported goods, the country of origin and several other factors like the total invoice amount or dimensions like weight, and other such criteria applicable in your country.

For example:

  • If you live in Mexico, and the declared value of your ordered items is over $ 50, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 19% which will be $ 9.50 to the courier service.
  • Whereas if you live in Turkey, and the declared value of your ordered items is over € 22, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 18% which will be € 3.96 to the courier service.
How can I cancel my order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Cancellation Policy for Published Printed Books:

You can cancel any order within 1 hour of placing the order. Simply contact customercare@packt.com with your order details or payment transaction id. If your order has already started the shipment process, we will do our best to stop it. However, if it is already on the way to you then when you receive it, you can contact us at customercare@packt.com using the returns and refund process.

Please understand that Packt Publishing cannot provide refunds or cancel any order except for the cases described in our Return Policy (i.e. Packt Publishing agrees to replace your printed book because it arrives damaged or material defect in book), Packt Publishing will not accept returns.

What is your returns and refunds policy? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Return Policy:

We want you to be happy with your purchase from Packtpub.com. We will not hassle you with returning print books to us. If the print book you receive from us is incorrect, damaged, doesn't work or is unacceptably late, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com with the order number and issue details as explained below:

  1. If you ordered (eBook, Video or Print Book) incorrectly or accidentally, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com within one hour of placing the order and we will replace/refund you the item cost.
  2. Sadly, if your eBook or Video file is faulty or a fault occurs during the eBook or Video being made available to you, i.e. during download then you should contact Customer Relations Team within 14 days of purchase on customercare@packt.com who will be able to resolve this issue for you.
  3. You will have a choice of replacement or refund of the problem items.(damaged, defective or incorrect)
  4. Once Customer Care Team confirms that you will be refunded, you should receive the refund within 10 to 12 working days.
  5. If you are only requesting a refund of one book from a multiple order, then we will refund you the appropriate single item.
  6. Where the items were shipped under a free shipping offer, there will be no shipping costs to refund.

On the off chance your printed book arrives damaged, with book material defect, contact our Customer Relation Team on customercare@packt.com within 14 days of receipt of the book with appropriate evidence of damage and we will work with you to secure a replacement copy, if necessary. Please note that each printed book you order from us is individually made by Packt's professional book-printing partner which is on a print-on-demand basis.

What tax is charged? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Currently, no tax is charged on the purchase of any print book (subject to change based on the laws and regulations). A localized VAT fee is charged only to our European and UK customers on eBooks, Video and subscriptions that they buy. GST is charged to Indian customers for eBooks and video purchases.

What payment methods can I use? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

You can pay with the following card types:

  1. Visa Debit
  2. Visa Credit
  3. MasterCard
  4. PayPal
What is the delivery time and cost of print books? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela
Modal Close icon
Modal Close icon