Google Play Store is home to millions of apps and games, but at the same time, it’s also a nest for malware-ridden apps that put users at big security risks.
Now, the platform has built a new initiative where users and developers will be protected thanks to the new security features.
Google Play Protect Extends to Combat Phony Financial Apps
Google Play Store Rolls Out New Protection Plans to Stop
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Financial apps could help users by teaching them how to save and be wise in their daily spending. However, not all of them are useful since many only disguise themselves as authentic financial apps. According to Google’s latest blog post, the new move will target these threats on the Play Store.
Earlier, Google dealt with a massive ad fraud case where users unknowingly installed imitation apps in the guise of popular ones. These apps produced nagging ads that were hard to delete, and they generated huge income for the scammers.
To counter this, Google took down 180 malicious apps from the website and is now implementing stronger protocols to avoid such situations.
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More Protection Against External Threats
Google’s study found that more than 50 times as much Android malware came from outside the Play Store, including web browsers and messaging apps. Pay attention to the scam messages and phishing links as they could infect your device and obtain your personal information.
Google sees this as an opportunity to roll out its financial fraud protection pilot to more countries that have seen greater levels of malware-based financial fraud.
Additionally, the software giant will continue warning users about unsafe apps downloaded from sources outside the Play Store. These measures aim to protect users by preventing the installation of potentially harmful applications.
Verified Badges for VPN Apps and More
To assist users in selecting reliable apps, Google is launching a “verified badge” for VPN apps, according to Android Central. This component, which pinpoints secure VPN choices, will later apply to other types of apps to ensure that people can recognize protected and reliable applications in different niches.
Stronger Tools for App Developers
Google is also prioritizing giving developers resources to protect their apps and businesses. The Play Integrity API, intended to combat fraud, bots, and data theft, will be improved to provide better protection. The enhancement will allow developers to detect at-risk devices while maintaining user privacy.
In addition, the company is developing self-help features that enable users to fix problems while running tampered versions of apps. The new features will be made available to developers in May, providing them with greater control over app security and performance.
A Safer Future for Google Play Users
With these future security improvements, Google hopes to provide a safer and more trustworthy Play Store experience. Bringing with it greater protections, verified badges, and enhanced developer tools, not only will Google protect its users, but it will also ensure that developers can create and sustain credible apps.
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