Application Security

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What Does Application Security Mean?

Application security is the general practice of adding features or functionality to software to prevent a range of different threats. These include denial of service attacks and other cyberattacks, and data breaches or data theft situations.

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Techopedia Explains Application Security

Different types of application security such as firewalls, antivirus programs, encryption programs and other devices can help to ensure that unauthorized access is prevented. Companies also can identify sensitive data assets and protect them through specific application security processes tied to these data sets.

Application security is one of several levels of security that companies use to protect systems. Others include operating system security, network security and end-point or mobile security.

All of these types of security are aimed at protecting clients and users of software from of hacking and malicious intent. In addition, application security is critical for mobile app stores, where hackers try to attach various kinds of malware to less vetted mobile apps.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.