Mobile Code Obfuscation Without Source Code Obfuscation
Ask any developer and he/she will tell you that mobile code obfuscation in an Android or iOS app isn’t easy. He/she needs to decide what has to be obfuscated and modify in the source code to “comply” with obfuscation techniques, coupled with limitations in choosing the programming languages, frameworks and build environments. To a developer, source code obfuscation of an entire app always comes with additional and significant performance impact.
It’s important to note that there are parts of an app that cannot allow code obfuscated in the source code. For example, strings and secrets that point to external services, third-party SDK vendors, and language dependent constructs. These elements remain in the clear form and provide hackers with enough data to reverse engineer an app.
In addition, it requires major proficiency to add mobile code obfuscation without a third-party integration help. A developer thinks he has obfuscated the source code but an experienced hacker will “see right through it”.
So Why The Need For Mobile Code Obfuscation?
Code obfuscation helps to protect a mobile app’s internal logic, intellectual property, frameworks, language, and structure. It makes the “reading” of an app’s binary/compiled code difficult and impractical. It aims to confuse and frustrate hackers while they try to uncover how an app works.
Before Appdome, the only way to add mobile code obfuscation was by compiling/adding/coding source code obfuscation into an app.
Introducing TOTALCode Obfuscation
Appdome’s TOTALCode obfuscation obfuscates the entire app binary, protects workflows, business logic, secrets, strings and data constructs throughout the binary, without exposing the source code. There is no optimization needed to the source code, no change to app’s logic, and no impact on operation, performance or functionality. An entire app can be obfuscated, with no development effort, and just with a click of a button.
Benefits of TOTALCode Obfuscation:
- Eliminates obfuscation tradeoffs
Developers don’t need to make tradeoffs between securing their app, build environments and selection of services. - No performance and functionality impact
Binary obfuscation, unlike source code obfuscation, works seamlessly within the app, with no impact on performance, usability and functionally. - Obfuscate third-party service implementations (SDKs)
TOTALCode obfuscation protects third-party integration such as services, SDKs, and APIs into an app. - Obfuscate strings and secrets in the app
The Achilles heel of all other obfuscation methods is strings and secrets contained in an app. If they are in clear text, the obfuscation is always reversible. TOTALCode obfuscation operates at the binary level, delivering obfuscation strength to strings and secrets. - Non-native code obfuscation
Appdome is the only solution that will obfuscate code built in non-native frameworks like Cordova, Maui, Xamarin, React Native and others.
Learn more about Appdome’s TOTALCode Obfuscation by opening a free Appdome account and try it for yourself! Mobile Code Obfuscation in minutes without lengthy source code obfuscation.
