Skip to content

Appknox

Overview

Appknox is a mobile application security testing platform used to identify and fix vulnerabilities in Android and iOS apps. It's commonly adopted by teams focused on mobile app development, especially in industries where data privacy and compliance are critical (e.g. finance, healthcare, retail).

What Appknox Does

Appknox provides automated, on-demand, and API-integrated security testing. It covers:

1. Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

  • Scans the source code, bytecode (APK), or binaries of your app.
  • Identifies issues like hardcoded secrets, insecure data storage, API keys, etc.

2. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

  • Runs your app in a sandbox or real environment.

  • Analyses runtime behavior, API communications, and checks for things like:

  • Insecure communication

  • SSL/TLS issues
  • API vulnerabilities

3. API Security Testing

  • Tests backend APIs used by your app for common OWASP API vulnerabilities (e.g. injection, broken auth).

4. Compliance Reports

  • Generates reports aligned with standards like OWASP Mobile Top 10, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.
  • Helps you demonstrate compliance to stakeholders or auditors.

💼 Why You Might Be Asked to Use Appknox

Since you’re working on a native Android app in a professional context:

  • Your app likely handles sensitive data (payments, user info, etc.)
  • You may have internal or regulatory security compliance requirements
  • Appknox offers CI/CD integration, so security can be automated during builds

🛠️ How to Integrate Appknox

Here’s a basic approach:

  1. Upload your APK or AAB to the Appknox web interface.
  2. Or, integrate Appknox with your CI/CD pipeline (like GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins).
  3. Review the scan results, fix vulnerabilities in your code or build configuration.
  4. Re-scan to validate the fixes.
  5. Download compliance/security reports for audits.

🧑‍💻 As a Developer, What You’ll Care About

  • You’ll receive actionable issues, such as:

  • Insecure WebView usage

  • Improper storage of credentials
  • Debuggable builds being shipped
  • Many issues will be familiar if you’ve seen tools like SonarQube, Fortify, or MobSF.

Would you like help with how to run your first scan, or how to prepare your app (e.g., proguard rules, debug flags) to avoid common Appknox issues?