Google Play Protect has implemented a powerful real-time scanner to safeguard users from apps installed outside the Play Store. The company’s efforts to protect user information from malicious actors seem to have been successful. According to reports, this proactive protection for Android smartphone users can issue warnings, prevent app installation, and disable existing apps. It is also capable of detecting and preventing various threats, including those that may extort money from users.
In a recent report, TechCrunch revealed that the updated Google Play Protect’s malware detection capability, which was announced at the company’s Google for India 2023 event, successfully detected and blocked attempts to install apps used for stalking or tracking users’ movements. Additionally, the real-time scanning feature was able to identify and block nearly all predatory loan apps masquerading as other Android apps, with only five managing to slip through the cracks. These apps were intentionally installed to test the code analysis feature.
Last month, Google explained that the updated Play Protect aims to prevent cybercriminals from infecting users’ devices with polymorphic malware. Polymorphic malware refers to malicious software that conceals or alters its characteristics to avoid detection. While the previous version of Play Protect relied on on-device machine learning and a database of known malware, the enhanced security features now include real-time code-level scanning.
The improved Play Protect scanners can now analyze apps in real-time, sharing important signals with Google’s scanning system to identify potentially dangerous apps. This advanced scanning capability is crucial in protecting users from malicious developers who utilize artificial intelligence to obfuscate dangerous code in their apps.
Unlike iOS, Android smartphones allow users to sideload applications from unknown and untrusted sources in APK format. This opens up the potential for users to unknowingly install modified apps that collect their personal information while in use. Countries like India have witnessed the rise of predatory lending apps that exploit users by leveraging the data harvested from their smartphones, including their contact lists.
Google announced that the enhanced Play Protect functionality would first be available to users in select countries using Android smartphones and tablets with Google Play services. The rollout of the new scanning feature will begin in India, followed by other regions.
