Mobile is officially the digital default. In this episode of Upwardly Mobile, we explore the staggering statistics showing mobile devices dominating global internet usage and discuss the critical security challenges that arise from this mobile-first environment. We then delve into the cutting-edge solution offered by our sponsor, Approov, and their latest platform update, Approov 3.5, designed to secure brands against evolving threats, including AI-driven attacks and new regulatory pressures.
The Mobile Tipping Point: 64% and Rising
The mobile landscape is at an inflection point. As of 2025, over 64% of all website traffic comes from mobile devices. This dominance is driven by the fact that nearly 96.3% of internet users access the internet using a mobile phone.
• This shift is not just a trend; it is the new normal.
• Mobile traffic reached 64.1% in Q2 2025, marking eight consecutive quarters of growth.
• Developing regions are leading the surge, with Africa having the highest proportion of mobile internet traffic at 69.13%, and Asia seeing 72.3% of all web traffic coming from smartphones.
• The most common activities performed on smartphones include playing a game (68%), listening to music (67%), and using social media (63%).
The Security Gap in a Mobile-First World
The widespread adoption of mobile creates significant security vulnerabilities. Automated threats make it easier for bad actors to clone legitimate apps, steal data, and commit fraud, which can cause irreparable damage to a brand's reputation and financially devastate users. Furthermore, new security gaps are emerging due to regulations like the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates support for third-party app stores, increasing the risk of fraudulent apps.
Approov 3.5: Protecting the Critical Connection
Approov, the leader in mobile API security, addresses these threats by acting as a digital gatekeeper. Approov protects the critical connection between a mobile app and a company's backend servers (APIs). It ensures that only genuine, untampered apps running in a secure environment can access sensitive services, blocking automated bots, modified apps, and cloned apps before they can compromise data.
The latest platform update, Approov 3.5, delivers next-generation attestation:
• Ready for the DMA and Open App Stores: Approov’s cloud-based verification ensures only genuine app instances—regardless of their distribution source—can access a company’s APIs.
• Hardware-Backed Security (Android): Cryptographic keys are stored in a secure, isolated “vault” on the device’s hardware, making cloning an app’s identity virtually impossible.
• Defense Against AI-Powered Attacks: The platform provides real-time threat analytics, allowing security teams to dynamically issue over-the-air (OTA) updates to block emerging AI threats without requiring an app update.
• Immutable App Signature: This feature creates a unique fingerprint upon installation, continuously verifying the app’s integrity against tampering or repackaging with malware.
• Memory Dump Detection: A new defense actively blocks attackers attempting to scrape sensitive information, such as AI secrets or user credentials, directly from the device’s memory.
Approov has proven that robust security can be achieved without compromising user experience, offering fast and responsive cross-platform security checks for iOS, Android, and HarmonyOS. By verifying API requests, Approov reduces API attacks by over 95%.
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