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Mobile application security

Mobile Application Security Study Plan

Milestone-based roadmap for testing and securing Android/iOS apps across client, API, and backend attack surfaces.

Mobile security includes platform-specific risks beyond classic web testing. This plan builds practical depth in Android/iOS app models, storage/security controls, interception tooling, and OWASP MASVS/MSTG-aligned methodology.

Expected pace

16-22 weeks

Practice on both client and backend paths.

Focus areas

Understand Android and iOS app security models.
Practice APK/IPA analysis and traffic interception workflows.
Use OWASP MASVS/MSTG as testing methodology baseline.
Test both mobile client and backend APIs together.

In short

Mobile security is not web security scaled down.
Platform-specific storage, permissions, and runtime models matter.
Combine static and dynamic testing approaches.
Use proxying, emulators, and vulnerable labs for practice.
Always correlate mobile findings with API/backend risks.
Mobile FundamentalsAndroid SecurityiOS SecurityMobile Testing Methodology (OWASP MASVS/MSTG)Tools and LabsBooksVideosCoursesCertificationsInterview Questions

Section 1

Mobile Fundamentals

2 weeks

Build baseline understanding of mobile architecture, app models, and data handling patterns.

Week 1-2: Architecture

Mobile app models: native, hybrid, cross-platform.
Typical architecture: client app to API to backend services.
Storage and permissions: local data stores, keychain/keystore, runtime permissions.
Web Pentest Study PlanApplication Security Study PlanAPI Security Study Plan

Section 2

Android Security

3-4 weeks

Learn Android internals, common mobile weakness patterns, and APK analysis basics.

Week 3-6: Android Basics and Risks

APK structure and Android components: activities, services, receivers.
Manifest and permissions review: exported components, dangerous permissions.
Common issues: insecure storage, hardcoded secrets, insecure logging.
Reverse engineering basics: decompiling APK and static inspection.

Section 3

iOS Security

3-4 weeks

Understand iOS package/sandbox model and common secure storage and runtime weaknesses.

Week 7-10: iOS Basics and Risks

IPA package format and iOS sandbox basics.
Keychain and secure storage usage and leakage patterns.
Common issues: insecure local storage, weak jailbreak detection, unsafe URL schemes.
High-level static and dynamic analysis boundaries and possibilities.

Section 4

Mobile Testing Methodology (OWASP MASVS/MSTG)

3-4 weeks

Use structured and repeatable methodology for consistent mobile assessments.

Week 11-14: Methodology

OWASP MASVS control categories and requirement mapping.
OWASP MSTG test case usage and execution flow.
Focus areas: local storage, auth/session, network/cert pinning, tamper resistance.
OWASP MASVS/MSTG

Section 5

Tools and Labs

3-4 weeks

Build practical workflow with interception, emulators/devices, and vulnerable app labs.

Week 15-18: Practice

Proxying/interception with Burp or ZAP and certificate setup.
Conceptual understanding of certificate pinning bypass paths.
Android/iOS emulator and test-device setup basics.
Practice on intentionally vulnerable mobile apps from reputable sources.
Test backend APIs with API security techniques.
API Security Study Plan

Section 6

Books

Use mobile-focused and API/web security material to cover client plus backend risk.

Books focused on mobile application security and testing.
Web/API security books to strengthen backend assessment depth.

Section 7

Videos

Follow conference and platform content on Android/iOS testing and defense practices.

Conference talks on Android and iOS application security.
Walkthroughs of mobile security assessments and testing workflows.
Official platform security overviews from Google and Apple.

Section 8

Courses

Choose hands-on mobile pentesting courses and reinforce backend/API knowledge.

Mobile application security/mobile pentesting courses with labs.
Android/iOS development basics courses (optional but helpful).
Web/API security courses for backend attack path understanding.

Section 9

Certifications

Cert path depends on mobile specialization versus broader offensive scope.

Mobile security-focused certifications aligned to your target role.
General offensive certs (e.g., OSCP/eWPTX style) for broader pentest profile.

Section 10

Interview Questions

Practice mobile-specific scenarios across storage, transport, methodology, and session controls.

How would you test mobile banking app for insecure storage?
What is OWASP MASVS and how would you apply it in assessment?
How would you approach certificate pinning bypass conceptually?
What are common mobile auth/session management pitfalls?