Android interview question : How would you secure your SQLite/Room database?

This was the question I came across on redit this week. And I posted an answer there but then reposting it as a brief article.

Why this question gets asked often during android interview?

Securing an SQLite or Room database in Android involves implementing various measures to protect the data stored in the database. This in my opinion is fairly broad question and it meant to cover the understanding of the Android developer in terms of the skills which is required to develop the secure mobile application on an Android platform.

As an android developer, you can start by mentioning about few broad mechanisms using which the database or the room database can be secured such as,

1. Encryption: To the best of my knowledge, SQLite supports encryption, and you can use third-party libraries like SQLCipher to implement it. Room, being built on top of SQLite, can work with encrypted databases seamlessly. Encryption adds an additional layer of security, making it more challenging for unauthorized parties to access or manipulate the data.
2. Key Management: If using encryption, implement proper key management practices. Ensure that encryption keys are stored securely and are only accessible to authorized components of the application. Avoid hardcoding keys in the source code or storing them in an insecure manner. This can be a follow up question by the interviewee to understand if the developer has really done the encryption and to uncover if he or she is familiar with best security practices.
3. Secure File Storage: Store the database file in a secure location, restricting access only to the necessary components of your app. Keeping the database file in the internal storage of the application can be a good place as Internal storage is private to the application, and other apps or users cannot access this space directly.

I would also include below points in my answer to explain general android security best practices, Although they are not directly related to the security of the SQLite or room database.

1. Obfuscate Code to make reverse engineering more difficult. This adds an extra layer of protection, making it harder for attackers to understand the internal workings of your application. Obfuscating code in Android involves using tools to transform your source code and make it more difficult to understand, reverse engineer, or decompile. This is particularly useful to protect sensitive information, intellectual property, and to enhance the overall security of your application. ProGuard is a popular tool for code obfuscation in Android.

2. Avoiding Sensitive Data in Plain Text I would follow best practices to avoid storing sensitive information in plain text within the database. This includes using appropriate hashing and encryption techniques for sensitive data.

Android applications often handle sensitive user data, such as personal information, passwords, and financial details. Understanding and implementing security measures helps protect this data from unauthorized access and potential misuse.

In summary, application security is a fundamental aspect of responsible and ethical software development. It protects users, their data, and the overall integrity of the software. A security-conscious approach is not only a best practice but also a necessity in today’s interconnected and data-driven digital landscape.