Get rid of unnecessary code. Some protocol buffer tools create a string of classes and methods that can greatly increase the size of your app.

Remove debugging symbols if your app is no longer in development. Break your app into several APKs. Then, when users download your app, they receive the right APK.

Still unconvinced? Consider the following: In alone, there were 8. Instead, the reigning targets of criminals were lifestyle, game, and news apps.

One test found an average of 2. Twenty-one percent of apps had a high-risk security issue, with more than two such security issues per tested app with an identified high-risk issue.

At least 1 in emails contains dangerous malware. There are , new malware samples produced every day. There are more than 4, ransomware attacks each day.

Most businesses fail to detect a breach for extended periods of time. The average wait is days. Those include: Implementing secure storage solutions.

You should also avoid storing sensitive data in system logs, and prevent sensitive data from appearing in the WebView cache. Protect against application backup vulnerabilities.

Backups can allow a criminal to view or modify data stored on the device. Protect data during transmission. External communication should occur only on a secure channel.

Certificate pinning offers additional security by confirming that the backend certificate is the one expected by the app.

Minimize necessary permissions. The more data your app can access on the device, the more data it gives a criminal access to.

Apps that are known to abuse permissions are popular targets, because criminals know that hacking these apps will give them access to much critical information.

Limit the information you collect and store. This information puts you and your users at risk, and will make your app a target.

Request only the information absolutely necessary to run the app. Resist the urge to demand more.

Some strategies that can protect against user error include: Not saving passwords and other important data.

Allowing users to log into their account to wipe or change their sensitive data. This prevents dangerous breaches when a device is physically compromised.

Educating users about best security practices. This can protect against phishing attacks. Consider also giving a list of app security pointers.

But some will read. Not only will your advice help users more intelligently use your apps. Your tips can also raise your credibility in the eyes of app consumers.

Forcing users to install security patches. So make installation mandatory — or bundle a much-coveted new app feature with the security update to incentivize installation.

The Amazon Appstore , for example, is only available to download as an APK, but you do so at your own risk. If you want to install an APK and you're confident it's legitimate if you're testing an app built by a friend but not yet published on the Google Play Store, for example, or you want to try Amazon's apps , you'll need to make a couple of adjustments first.

Access your device's security settings and tap the switch marked 'Allow installation of apps from sources other than the Google Play Store'.

Once that's done, download the APK and tap the file to install it. After you've confirmed, it will be installed and run like any other Android app.

The Android system allows users to manually install APK files only after they turn on an "Unknown Sources" setting that allows installation from sources other than trusted ones like Google Play.

One may do so for many reasons, such as to install apps not found on the store, or to install an older version.

An APK file is an archive that usually contains the following files and directories:. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Redirected from APK file format.

File format used for software on Google's Android operating system. Signature-Version: 1. Android Developers.

Retrieved Google Sites. Open Ha Magazine. Archived from the original on