How to Apply Data-at-Rest Encryption to downloads performed via Android's DownloadManager API

Learn to Enforce the execution of the app’s downloads within the app’s context in Android apps, in mobile CI/CD with a Data-Driven DevSecOps™ build system.

How to Apply Data-at-Rest Encryption to downloads performed via Android's DownloadManager API?

On Android, the file downloads are handled by the Android DownloadManager  –  However, as downloads performed by the Android DownloadManager are not controlled by the app, the developer cannot ensure they have the same standard of protection as the rest of the app.

Appdome’s Secure Download ensures that files downloaded by the app are not sent to the Android Download Manager and are executed within the app’s context. In so doing, data encryption is applied to all downloaded files.

This Knowledge Base Article explains how Appdome Secure Download works and how you can build your apps with this feature enabled.

How Does Appdome Apply Secure Download?

Appdome Secure Download works by “catching” the Appdome Built app request to download and execute the request within the secured app. In so doing, it ensures that Data at Rest Encryption is applied to the downloaded files that will be stored securely on the device.

Without any additional action from the developer’s side, the Appdome-built app with Secure Download enabled will locate the API call to the device’s Download Manager and ensure that files are downloaded securely.

Enforcing the execution of the app’s downloads within the app’s context on Android apps by Using Appdome

On Appdome, follow these 3 simple steps to create self-defending Android Apps that Enforce the execution of the app’s downloads within the app’s context without an SDK or gateway:

1. Upload the Mobile App to Appdome.

   1. Upload an app to Appdome’s Mobile App Security Build System

   2. Upload Method: Appdome Console or DEV-API
   3. Android Formats: .apk or .aab

2. Build the feature: Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download.

   1. Building Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download by using Appdome’s DEV-API:

      1. Create and name the Fusion Set (security template) that will contain the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download feature as shown below:
      

      Figure 1: Fusion Set that will contain the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download feature
      Note: Naming the Fusion Set to correspond to the protection(s) selected is for illustration purposes only (not required).

      2. Follow the steps in Sections 2.2.1-2.2.2 of this article, Building the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download feature via Appdome Console, to add the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download feature to this Fusion Set.

      3. Open the Fusion Set Detail Summary by clicking the “...” symbol on the far-right corner of the Fusion Set, as shown in Figure 1 above, and get the Fusion Set ID from the Fusion Set Detail Summary (as shown below):

         Figure 2: Fusion Set Detail Summary
         Note: Annotating the Fusion Set to identify the protection(s) selected is optional only (not mandatory).

      4. Follow the instructions below to use the Fusion Set ID inside any standard mobile DevOps or CI/CD toolkit like Bitrise, App Center, Jenkins, Travis, Team City, Cirlce CI or other system:

         1. Build an API for the app – for instructions, see the tasks under Appdome API Reference Guide
         2. Look for sample APIs in Appdome’s GitHub Repository

   2. Building the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download feature via Appdome Console

      To build the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download protection by using Appdome Console, follow the instructions below.

      1. Where: Inside the Appdome Console, go to Build > Security Tab > TOTALData™ Encryption section
      2. How: Toggle (turn ON) Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download, as shown below.

         Figure 3: Enforce the execution of the app’s downloads within the app’s context option

      3. When you select the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download you'll notice that your Fusion Set you created in step 2.1.1 now bears the icon of the protection category that contains Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download

         

         Figure 4: Fusion Set that displays the newly added Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download protection

      4. Click Build My App at the bottom of the Build Workflow (shown in Figure 3).

   Congratulations!  The Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download protection is now added to the mobile app

3. Certify the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download feature in Android Apps.

   After building Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download, Appdome generates a Certified Secure™ certificate to guarantee that the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download protection has been added and is protecting the app. To verify that the Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download protection has been added to the mobile app, locate the protection in the Certified Secure™ certificate as shown below:

   Figure 5: Certified Secure™ certificate

   Each Certified Secure™ certificate provides DevOps and DevSecOps organizations the entire workflow summary, audit trail of each build, and proof of protection that Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download has been added to each Android app. Certified Secure provides instant and in-line DevSecOps compliance certification that Data at Rest Encryption > Secure Download and other mobile app security features are in each build of the mobile app