Android’s New Security Feature Will Regularly Scan Your Apps to Protect You from ‘Harmful’ Software
Google has announced a new app verification service for smartphones and tablets that expands upon the measures already baked into its Google Play store. Now, instead of just scanning apps for harmful functionality as they are downloaded and installed to your device, Google will regularly monitor app activity, from apps that are installed both from within and from outside the Play store.
A spokesman said the new function scans all installs and spot-checks previously installed apps “on a regular basis” for anything that takes advantage of system vulnerabilities, spies or collects information on you, or sends unauthorized SMS messages.
The new feature also checks in-app installations for changes in behavior an app may make after it’s been installed.
The warning screens you’ll see when attempting to install a potentially harmful app look like these:
(Google)
If an app is believed to be malicious, Android will actually block the installation altogether (the warning screen above on the right), though all of this protection can be deactivated by Android owners who wish to do so.
“We wanted to make sure users are being protected even when they are installing applications outside of Google Play,” Android security engineer Adrian Ludwig told reporters as he explained the new Verify Apps service.
The company’s hands-off approach to cultivating an app ecosystem has been a point of contention among both customers and developers. Unlike iOS, Android allows for the installation of apps that come from sources outside of the official Google Play app marketplace. On top of that, the Play store doesn’t have the requirements or verification process for the hosting of apps required by Apple and the App Store/iTunes Store. Google sees all this as a more open way to encourage innovation, but instances of fraudulent or misleading apps — like the recent Virus Shield scam — have no doubt given pause to supporters.
According to Ludwig, Android’s new app scanning feature is meant only to catch “harmful” software, meaning that Virus Shield, or any other app that claims to offer a service but instead does nothing, will not trip a warning upon installation.
This probably isn’t what folks who have forked out money for fake apps want to hear, but a Google spokesperson did tell Yahoo Tech that, “Historically our customer service team has been helpful for users in helping them get refunds” in instances like the Virus Shield scam.
The new Verify Apps function is beginning to roll out at large Thursday and comes as an update to the Google Play Android app. All devices running Android 2.3 or later will get the new security feature.
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