Android has a reputation for being unsecure, but its supporters have always maintained that the advantages of an open eco-system outweigh the drawbacks. Regardless of which camp you fall into, the reality remains that we do need robust security for our connected devices. Google just pushed out a new feature called Google Play Protect that was initially unveiled at the Google I/Oevent back in May with a goal to doing precisely that. Although there is a lot of discussion about it on social media, online message boards, and Android forums, not everyone is certain of what it actually offers and how it will likely safeguard us from dishonest developers. Here is all you need to know about Google Play Protect in case you’re curious about the latest advancements and what they signify for end users:
What is Google Play Protect?
The function known as Google Play Protect is essentially a development of the company’s Verify Apps service, which was introduced to Android many years ago. The function, which will be turned on by default on all Android devices, is designed to act as a real-time malware scanner, scanning every app that has been loaded or is in the process of being installed and alerting users if anything is suspicious. Google Play Protect was first introduced at the Google I/O developer conference in May of last year, but it wasn’t until this week that it began to be made available internationally to all Android devices running Google Play Services 11 or later.
Therefore, if you haven’t already installed it on your smartphone and aren’t using a forked version of Android that doesn’t come with Google Play Store, you should do so soon. All of my coworkers whose devices I checked already have it installed, and I do too. Here’s how to check if the functionality has already been installed on your devices if you’re unsure:
How To Check Whether You ve Got Google Play Protect on Your Android Device?
The Google Play Protect feature is not accessible through the Play Store app and is really tucked away rather deeply within your phone’s settings. To find out which apps were automatically inspected and when, click to Settings -> Google -> Security -> Google Play Protect.
How To Enable or Disable Google Play Protect On Your Android Device
As previously mentioned, Google Play Protect is already starting to roll out to devices with Google Play Services (version 11 and above). It will also be enabled by default, meaning all installed apps on your device will be routinely inspected by the service for malware. However, you can turn off Google Play Protect on your device by following a few easy steps if you don’t want your devices to be automatically scanned. For the safety of both you and your device, it is advised that you leave it on unless you are certain of what you’re doing. On the same Settings -> Google -> Security -> Google Play Protect page, where there are other options, you can choose to enable or disable Google Play Protect. Scan the device for security issues and enhance the identification of malicious apps.
The second option can be activated if you want to make sure that the apps you installed from third party sources are screened for malware, even though the first option is already active by default.
How Will Google Play Protect Keep Your Android Device Secure?
Google Play Protect is made to check for malware on your device and in the Google Play Store, but not on external websites or app stores that house Android apps. If you install an app from a different app store that Google considers unsafe, the service will still alert you. By selecting the Google Play Protect option as previously mentioned, you can look up the status of your installed apps. There, you may view the date of your device’s most recent scan and, if your device has any potentially hazardous apps, find a list of them.
You’ll also see verification badges on the Play Store listing page of each and every app after Google completes its entire deployment of Play Protect in the manner in which it was intended to be introduced. Once in place, it will be simpler for users to understand the security of each app before downloading it to their phone. You’ll also see a No Problems Found label at the top of your update list if your downloads are determined by the scanning algorithm to be malware-free in order to prevent rogue developers from sneaking malware in through subsequent updates after getting a clean bill of health the first time around.
Will Google Play Protect Disable Third-Party App Stores or Prevent Sideloading?
One argument that has been raging throughout the internet is if Google Play Protect is a sign of things to come for the Android ecosystem: a tighter, harsher, and more restricted environment, similar to what Apple does with its walled garden strategy. Whether Google has such plans for the future is difficult to say without a certain amount of conjecture, but for the time being, having Google Play Protect enabled on your device will not cause any problems with third-party app stores or flag sideloaded apps and APK files downloaded from other websites as malicious.
Are There Any Privacy Concerns With Google Play Protect?
Many internet users and privacy advocates have strong opinions about this topic as well. Will Google track the precise programmes that users have installed on their smartphones under the guise of protecting them from malware? Currently, Google is aware of which specific apps are being downloaded to which devices and through which Google accounts. But will the addition of this new feature alter that in any way, shape, or form?
As seen in the image above, there is an option to share with Google full information about unknown apps, which is Google-speak for downloads that weren’t made through the Play Store. Thankfully, the toggle is off by default, so unless you intentionally turn it on, it’s unlikely that the search engine will obtain a lot of data in this manner. But is it still possible that this may grow into a major privacy issue for Android users in the future? Yes, but it will truly depend on Google’s position in the upcoming months and years.
How to Protect Your Android Device Against Malware (SEE ALSO)
Can Google Play Protect Do What it s Promising?
This action by Google is viewed by many as a positive one and a clear step in the right direction because the company has long been accused of not taking Android security seriously enough. Nevertheless, at least some observers and commentators are expressing serious concerns about what they perceive as the search engine giant’s attempt to both remove many of the freedoms that Android has historically been known for and as yet another attempt to gather more information about consumer behaviour. It’s hard to predict what the future will bring, but it will undoubtedly be a positive development if Google manages to fulfil its promise and reduce the number of dangerous apps available on the Play Store without interfering in any way with Android’s intrinsic freedom.
Do you now that you are well-informed about this new feature believe that the Play Store will soon be a somewhat secure location? Or do you believe that malicious coders will come up with new, inventive ways to spread malware despite Google’s efforts? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments box below; we enjoy reading them.
