Google has recently introduced a new feature to improve the security of Android devices and apps. It is called Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning for app installs. It allows users to scan apps before installing them and detect any malicious or harmful code. It also helps Google to identify new threats and protect the Android ecosystem .

What are malicious polymorphic apps and why are they dangerous?

Malicious polymorphic apps are apps that use artificial intelligence or other methods to avoid threat detection. These apps can change their code or behavior after installation and cause harm to the device or user data. For example, they can steal personal information, display unwanted ads, send premium SMS messages, encrypt files and demand ransom, or install other malicious apps .

These apps are dangerous because they can evade traditional security measures that rely on static analysis or signature-based detection. They can also spread quickly and infect many devices without being noticed. According to Google, these apps account for more than 50% of the malware detected by Google Play Protect.

How does Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning work?

Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning is a new feature that scans apps at the code level in real-time before installing them on the device. It uses machine learning and cloud-based analysis to detect any malicious or harmful code in the app. It also compares the app with other similar apps and checks for any anomalies or suspicious behaviors .

This feature is rolling out first to India and will expand to select countries in the coming months. It will eventually come to all regions. Users will see a prompt from Google Play Protect when they try to install an app that has never been scanned before. They can choose to scan the app or skip the scan. If they scan the app, they will see a notification that tells them whether the app is safe or not .

What are the benefits and challenges of Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning?

Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning has several benefits for users and developers. For users, it can protect their devices and data from harmful apps and give them more confidence and control over their app choices. For developers, it can help them improve their app quality and security and avoid being flagged as malicious by mistake .

However, this feature also has some challenges and limitations. For example, it may not be able to detect all types of malicious code or behavior, especially if they are very sophisticated or hidden. It may also have some false positives or negatives, meaning it may wrongly classify some apps as safe or unsafe. It may also affect the app installation time and performance, depending on the network speed and device specifications .

How can users and developers make the best use of Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning?

Users and developers can make the best use of Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning by following some simple tips and best practices. For users, they should always scan apps before installing them and pay attention to the notifications from Google Play Protect. They should also avoid installing apps from unknown sources or third-party stores, as they may not be scanned by Google Play Protect. They should also update their apps regularly and report any suspicious or problematic apps to Google .

For developers, they should always follow the Android development guidelines and use official tools and libraries to create their apps. They should also test their apps thoroughly and fix any bugs or vulnerabilities before publishing them on Google Play Store. They should also monitor their app ratings and reviews and respond to any user feedback or complaints. They should also cooperate with Google if their app is flagged as malicious by mistake and provide any necessary information or evidence to prove their app’s legitimacy .

Better Security for Android Devices

Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning for app installs is a new feature that aims to improve the security of Android devices and apps. It scans apps before installing them and detects any malicious or harmful code. It also helps Google to identify new threats and protect the Android ecosystem. It has several benefits for users and developers, but also some challenges and limitations. Users and developers can make the best use of this feature by following some simple tips and best practices.

Reference:

Google Online Security Blog: Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning for app installs (googleblog.com)