Preface

In today's techno-savvy world, more and more of our lives are going digital and all this information is accessible anytime and anywhere using mobile devices. There are thousands of apps available for users to download and play with. With so much information easily accessible using application on the mobile devices, the biggest challenge is to secure the users' private information and respect their privacy.

The first Android phone came out in 2009. The mobile ecosystem has not been the same since then. The openness of the platform and a far less restrictive application model created excitement in the developer community and also fostered innovation and experimentation. But just as every coin has two sides, so does openness. The Android platform irked the imagination of the so-called bad guys. Android provides a perfect test bed for them to try out their ideas. It is thus of great importance not only as a developer, but also as a consumer, to be aware of Android's security model and how to use it judiciously to protect yourself and your consumers.

Android Application Security Essentials is a deep dive into Android security from the kernel level to the application level, with practical hands-on examples, illustrations, and everyday use cases. This book 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.

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