Top App Security Threats in 2026 and How to Protect Your Users

Security in digital products has always been important, but the landscape in 2026 looks noticeably different from even a year or two ago. Threats are faster, more automated and often harder to detect. Attackers are finding new vulnerabilities in the frameworks and tools that modern apps rely on, and the speed at which security incidents unfold has increased dramatically. For businesses, this shift means security can no longer sit quietly behind the scenes. It has become part of the product experience itself.

This blog takes a look at the biggest security risks facing mobile and web apps in 2026, why they matter and what teams can do now to protect their users.

The Security Shift in 2026

Why App Security Looks Different This Year

Apps today are built with more moving parts than ever. A single product might rely on dozens of open-source libraries, third-party SDKs, authentication providers, cloud services and AI models. This creates enormous opportunity for innovation, but it also means a single weak point can expose the entire system. While security used to be about protecting servers, it now involves safeguarding a complex web of dependencies and integrations.

Attackers are taking advantage of this complexity. Automated tools allow them to probe thousands of apps at once. AI models help them generate and refine attacks at speeds that human teams struggle to match. As a result, businesses now face a threat environment that is more dynamic and more relentless than anything seen in previous years.

The Spike in React, Next.js and Vercel Vulnerabilities

One of the most visible trends in late 2025 and early 2026 has been the surge in security incidents involving React, Next.js and Vercel. These technologies power a large portion of the modern web, and their popularity makes them attractive targets. Over the past few months, developers have seen weekly reports of compromised websites and exposed data caused by misconfigured builds, vulnerable packages or insecure deployment workflows.

The speed of these incidents is partly due to how quickly the ecosystem evolves. New releases ship constantly, and businesses often adopt updates without fully understanding the security implications. Attackers take advantage of this momentum, exploiting small missteps in configuration or dependency management.

At DreamWalk, we address this by auditing the frameworks and components we use, monitoring dependency changes and applying secure deployment standards across all our projects.

The Two Biggest Security Threats in 2026

Supply Chain and SDK Vulnerabilities

Supply chain vulnerabilities have become the number one concern for many engineering teams. When apps rely on countless external libraries and SDKs, a single compromised dependency can create a path straight into production systems. The risks include hidden malware in package updates, unverified open-source code, compromised vendor SDKs and indirect data leaks that bypass traditional defences.

The challenge is that these vulnerabilities often live deep within the dependency tree, far removed from the code a team writes. Businesses may believe their systems are secure, even though a third-party update introduced a weakness months earlier.

At DreamWalk, we mitigate this risk by continuously monitoring third-party dependencies, running automatic composition analysis and maintaining strict governance over the SDKs we choose. Our CI and CD pipelines are configured to verify the integrity of every build, which significantly reduces exposure.

AI-Driven Attacks and AI Feature Risks

AI has become a standard part of modern apps, but it also introduces new risks. Attackers now use AI to automate credential testing, simulate user behaviour and craft more convincing social engineering attempts. At the same time, apps that include AI features face problems of their own. Prompt injection, unprotected model endpoints and insecure handling of user data fed into models are becoming common vulnerabilities.

Many teams add AI features quickly to keep up with competition, without considering how those models interact with sensitive information or how they can be manipulated. When AI drives part of the user experience, any weakness in that system becomes a business risk.

We address this at DreamWalk through secure AI architecture patterns, including controlled orchestration layers, input validation and prompt firewalls. These allow teams to unlock the value of AI without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.

Other Rising Risks to Watch

API Weaknesses and Overexposed Endpoints

APIs are essential to app functionality, but they also create a large attack surface. Common issues include weak authentication, excessive permissions and endpoints that expose more data than intended. These weaknesses can lead to data leaks, mass scraping or exploitation of business logic.

To reduce these risks, DreamWalk applies a zero trust API design approach and uses strict access controls across all client and internal projects.

Outdated or Weak Authentication Flows

Old authentication patterns, such as traditional passwords or SMS codes, create opportunities for attackers. The rise of credential stuffing and account takeover attacks means businesses must adopt stronger standards. Modern approaches like passkeys and device-based authentication provide a safer path forward.

We have transitioned many of our own applications to passkey based authentication and support clients through similar migrations.

Insecure Data Storage on the Device

Storing sensitive data on the device without proper protection can lead to exposure if the phone is compromised. Issues often come from misuse of local storage or a lack of encryption. Attackers can reverse engineer apps to find stored tokens, user data or business logic.

DreamWalk follows encrypted storage practices using native secure enclaves and avoids storing sensitive data on the client unless absolutely necessary.

Session Management and Token Handling Issues

Poor session handling can leave users exposed long after they log out. Problems include weak refresh token strategies, inconsistent invalidation and outdated session patterns. These risks often go unnoticed because the app appears to work normally until something goes wrong.

Our approach includes secure token lifecycles and strong revocation frameworks across all app types.

What This Means for Product Teams

Security is no longer just a backend responsibility. It affects user trust, brand reputation, compliance obligations and the overall product experience. A single breach can disrupt launches, slow down growth and undermine relationships with customers. Teams that understand the modern threat landscape can make better decisions about the tools they use and the features they prioritise.

Looking Ahead

Reliable security starts with a clear understanding of how data flows through your app. From there, teams can adopt stronger authentication methods, ensure APIs expose only what’s necessary, secure data on the device and invest in better dependency management. Automated checks in the development pipeline, regular reviews of third-party libraries and continuous monitoring all play important roles in preventing issues before they reach production.

Businesses that take the time to understand these risks will be better positioned to protect users, maintain trust and grow with confidence. If you would like support reviewing your app’s security posture or strengthening your approach to these emerging threats, the DreamWalk team is here to help.

DreamWalk is an award-winning Australian app development company. We pride ourselves on our ethical and transparent app development process and operate by our unique Ethical App Development Charter. To learn more about us and the work we do, head to www.dreamwalk.com.au.