web and mobile cybersecurity: the threats of 2024 and how to protect your users and your company

Web and mobile cybersecurity 2024: Discover the major threats and our protection strategies. Secure your website, mobile application and user data. Complete guide.

In 2024, the digital landscape has become the scene of a silent but incessant war: that of cyber security. With increased reliance on the internet and mobile devices, web and mobile threats have never been so sophisticated and ubiquitous. Whether you are a business, an organization, or a single user, understanding the web and mobile cybersecurity issues has become an absolute necessity to protect your data, your users and your business.

We dive into the heart of the web and mobile cybersecurity threats in 2024, deciphers the most common attacks and offers you a complete guide to protection strategies and solutions to effectively secure your websites, your mobile applications and the sensitive data they contain.

Web and Mobile Cybersecurity in 2025: An Expanding Threat Landscape

The year 2024 marks a new stage in the escalation of cyber threats. The ever-expanding attack surface, the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, and the proliferation of software vulnerabilities create a particularly risky environment for businesses and users.

Some key trends to remember regarding the landscape of web and mobile cybersecurity in 2024 :

Increase in ransomware and extortion attacks: Ransomware attacks, which paralyze entire systems in exchange for a ransom, continue to grow, now also targeting mobile devices and cloud infrastructures.
Phishing and social engineering increasingly sophisticated: Phishing attacks, aimed at stealing sensitive information by impersonating trusted entities, are becoming more targeted and harder to detect, especially on mobile.
Exploitation of Supply Chain Vulnerabilities (Supply Chain Attacks): Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting companies' suppliers and partners to infiltrate their systems and access sensitive data.
Attacks targeting APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) : APIs, which allow web and mobile applications to communicate with each other, are becoming preferred attack vectors due to their complexity and central role in modern architectures.
Threats related to AI (Artificial Intelligence): While AI is a powerful tool for defensive cybersecurity, it is also used by cybercriminals to automate and improve their attacks, particularly in phishing and social engineering.

Top Web Cybersecurity Threats in 2024

Visit website security remains a major challenge in 2024. Here are the main ones web threats to monitor and counter:

Injection attacks (SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting – XSS): These attacks aim to inject malicious code into web applications to steal data, modify website content, or compromise servers. SQL injections target databases, while XSS attacks exploit flaws in client-side (web browser) code.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: DDoS attacks aim to make a website or online service inaccessible by flooding it with malicious traffic, thus paralyzing its normal operations.
Authentication and session management vulnerabilities : Weak or misconfigured authentication mechanisms can allow cybercriminals to impersonate legitimate users and gain access to sensitive accounts and data.
Security Misconfiguration: Misconfigurations in web servers, applications, or cloud infrastructures can create vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
Vulnerabilities of CMS (Content Management Systems) and plugins: Popular CMSs like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, as well as their plugins and extensions, can contain security vulnerabilities if they are not regularly updated.
Supply Chain Attacks: Compromising a company's vendor or partner (e.g., a web service provider, a JavaScript library vendor) can allow attackers to indirectly infect the target website.

Top Mobile Cybersecurity Threats in 2024

With the explosion in the use of smartphones and tablets, the mobile application security has become a critical issue. Here are the main ones mobile threats to take into account:

Malicious mobile applications : Malicious apps, sometimes disguised as legitimate apps, can be downloaded by users from unofficial app stores or via phishing links. These apps can steal personal data, spy on users, install ransomware, or perform other malicious actions.
Targeted mobile phishing and social engineering attacks: Mobile phishing, via SMS (smishing), emails, or social media, is growing rapidly. Smaller mobile screens make users more vulnerable to phishing attempts because it's harder to verify the authenticity of links and messages.
Mobile API Vulnerabilities: Mobile applications often communicate with backend servers via APIs. Poorly secured or poorly designed APIs can be exploited to access sensitive data and compromise applications or servers.
Security of data in transit and at rest on mobile: Sensitive data stored on mobile devices (personal information, banking data, passwords) or transmitted via mobile networks (Wi-Fi, 4G/5G) can be intercepted or stolen if not properly encrypted and protected.
Lack of security updates on mobile devices: Many users are slow to update their mobile operating systems and apps, leaving them vulnerable to known security vulnerabilities exploited by cybercriminals.
Public Wi-Fi Security: Using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks exposes mobile devices to the risk of data interception, man-in-the-middle attacks, and other threats.

How to Protect Your Users and Your Business Against Web and Mobile Cyber Threats in 2024?

In the face of these growing threats, it is imperative to put in place robust, multi-layered cybersecurity strategies To protect your websites, mobile apps, and users, here are the key steps to take:

Web Cybersecurity Protection Measures:

Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF analyzes and filters incoming HTTP/HTTPS traffic to your website, blocking common web attacks (SQL injections, XSS, etc.) before they reach your servers.
Use HTTPS protocol and SSL/TLS encryption : HTTPS protocol and SSL/TLS encryption ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data exchanged between users' web browsers and your website, thus protecting sensitive information (passwords, personal data, payment information).
Regularly update CMS, Plugins and Libraries: Always apply security updates provided by the vendors of your CMS, plugins, and software libraries. These updates address known security vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of exploits.
Perform regular penetration tests and security audits: Conduct penetration tests and security audits by external experts to identify vulnerabilities in your website and infrastructure and fix detected flaws before they are exploited by attackers.
Adopt a robust security policy and train employees: Implement a clear and comprehensive security policy that outlines cybersecurity rules and best practices (password management, use of personal devices, access management, etc.). Regularly train your employees on cybersecurity threats and best practices to avoid them.

Mobile Cybersecurity Protection Measures:

Developing applications that are secure by design (Security by Design): Integrate security into the design phase of your mobile applications, applying the principles of “Security by Design” and carrying out risk analyses and security tests throughout the development cycle.
Use secure and authenticated APIs: Secure your mobile APIs by implementing strong authentication mechanisms (OAuth 2.0, API Keys), validating data inputs and outputs, and applying API security principles (OWASP API Security Top 10).
Encrypt sensitive data in storage and in transit: Encrypt sensitive data stored locally on mobile devices (databases, configuration files, caches) and data transmitted over mobile networks using strong encryption protocols.
Implement a Mobile Device Management (MDM) policy: For corporate mobile devices, deploy an MDM solution to control and secure devices, enforce security policies (complex passwords, encryption, application management), and be able to remotely wipe and lock devices in case of loss or theft.
Raising user awareness of mobile threats and best practices : Educate and educate your users about specific threats targeting mobile devices (mobile phishing, malicious apps, unsecured public Wi-Fi networks). Promote mobile security best practices (downloading apps only from official stores, checking app permissions, using VPNs on public Wi-Fi networks, and regular updates).

Tools and Solutions to Strengthen Your Web and Mobile Cybersecurity

There are many tools and solutions that can help you strengthen your web and mobile cybersecurity :

Web Application Firewall (WAF) : Cloudflare WAF, Imperva WAF, AWS WAF, Azure WAF
Vulnerability Management Solutions: Qualys, Tenable Nessus, Rapid7 InsightVM
Static and Dynamic Code Analysis Tools (SAST/DAST) : SonarQube, Checkmarx, Veracode
Penetration Testing Platforms (Pentest as a Service – PTaaS): Bugcrowd, HackerOne, Cobalt.io
Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions : Microsoft Intune, MobileIron, VMware Workspace ONE
Mobile encryption solutions (SDKs and encryption libraries) : libsodium, OpenSSL (mobile versions), Android Keystore, iOS Keychain
Cybersecurity Training and Awareness: Online training platforms (SANS Institute, Cybrary), cybersecurity awareness agencies

Web and Mobile Cybersecurity, a Permanent Issue in 2024 and Beyond

Visit web and mobile cybersecurity is not a one-time challenge, but a an ongoing challenge which is constantly evolving with technological advances and cybercriminal strategies. In 2024, it is more crucial than ever to adopt a proactive and comprehensive approach to security, combining robust technical measures, clear security policies, and ongoing user awareness.

Protecting your websites, mobile applications, and user data isn't just a matter of regulatory compliance or reputational protection. It's a strategic imperative to ensure the sustainability of your business, customer trust, and the security of your digital ecosystem. Investing in web and mobile cybersecurity in 2024 is an essential investment for the future of your business and the peace of mind of your users.

DualMedia, your web agency and mobile in Paris, supports you in implementing tailor-made web and mobile cybersecurity strategies. Contact us for a personalized security audit and discover how we can help you effectively protect your business and users against the cyber threats of 2024 and beyond. Contact us.