The Google Play Store isn't always safe — here's what you need to know (2024)
Taking a minute or two to ask a few questions about an application before downloading it can greatly reduce your chances of downloading a malicious app.
Before you download another application from the more than three million that are in the Google Play Store, read on to learn a few simple things you can do to protect yourself. Before we get into that, let’s establish why this is worthwhile.
As noted byTech Advisor, “The Google Play Store continues to be targeted with malware attacks. Several apps posing as useful tools have infected more than 300,000 Android devices” which exposed users' personal data. You should assume that everything within the store has already been vetted and is safe. Knowing that some apps are designed to look innocent but steal your data, there are some simple things to do to better protect yourself:
1. Check the number of downloads. Malicious apps do not usually last long on the Google Play Store as they are removed when they are identified and reported, so these bad apps usually don't have the chance to accumulate lots of downloads. Moreover, with more people using an app the chances of spotting undesired behavior of a system increases. The majority of the apps on the Google Play Store have less than one hundred downloads. 65.4% of all downloads are from the top 0.055% apps.
2. Check if an app has a link to a privacy policy and that the link leads to an actual privacy policy. Overall, it's good practice when an app or a web page has a privacy policyso users can get a better understanding of what data is collected and how it is being processed. If an app handles private or sensitive data, it’s required to have a privacy policy in many countries. However, the fact that an app has a link to a privacy policy listed in the Google Play Store does not necessarily mean that the policy is still available or leads to relevant content. By checking where such a link goes, you can easily take steps to verify the legitimacy of an app.
3. Check the list of the permissions the app is asking for. The names of the permissions can be confusing, and there are literally hundreds of them. There are more general ones (access to the internet, access to Bluetooth), but also very sensitive ones (access to your location, microphone, camera, contacts).
If you are downloading a “simple” app it might be a red flag if the list of permissions is long. For example, the app Real Drum, a drum simulator, asks for access to all of the contacts and current cellular network information, the status of any ongoing calls, and a list of any phone accounts registered on the device. All of those permissions seem quite unnecessary. Another example is ibis Paint X, which is a drawing app that requests permission to record audio. Below, you can see which dangerous permissions are most commonly used by apps.
Taking a minute or two to ask a few questions about an application before downloading it can greatly reduce your chances of downloading a malicious app.
Google Play Protect scans 125 billion apps daily to make sure that everything remains spot on. That way, no matter where you download an app from, you know it's been checked by Google Play Protect.
Google Play Protect scans 125 billion apps daily to make sure that everything remains spot on. That way, no matter where you download an app from, you know it's been checked by Google Play Protect.
Google Play Protect leverages cloud-based app-verification services to determine if apps are Potentially Harmful Applications (PHAs). Google Play Protect scans Android devices for evidence of PHAs. It checks all apps on a device, regardless of where the app was downloaded.
Galaxy Store: Security. Like Play Store, Galaxy Store is safe for installing and downloading apps. However, regarding security, the Play Store adds an extra layer of protection with its Play Protect Feature, which helps detect harmful apps on your phone.
Can I turn off Google Play Protect? Yes, you have the option to disable Google Play Protect. However, it's generally advised not to do so. Turning it off can potentially leave your Android device vulnerable, especially when you're in the process of installing an app that hasn't been certified for safety.
All genuine security alerts from Google are listed on the Security page of your Google Account. To review your alerts, under “Recent security activity,” tap Review security activity. If you received a message claiming to be a security alert from Google that is not there, that message was not sent by Google.
Although Google Play isn't 100 percent safe from malware, it's safer than downloading unofficial apps. Use a good Android antivirus app. Research the app before downloading it. Read the reviews; users often rate an infected app poorly and will usually warn others through the reviews.
Google Play Protect checks your apps and devices for harmful behavior. It runs a safety check on apps from the Google Play Store before you download them. It checks your device for potentially harmful apps from other sources.
Yes, it is indeed safe to but an app from the Play Store using a credit/debit card, however you should be careful about what apps you are buying. One should ensure the app they are purchasing is genuine, and that a proper developer is behind it so that the chances of being ripped off are less.
We only share personal information with third parties in the circ*mstances described in the Google Payments Privacy Notice. The credit card and debit card numbers you provide to Google are encrypted and stored on secure servers in a secure location.
Google Play Protect is built-in, proactive protection against malware and unwanted software and is enabled on all Android devices with Google Play Services. Google Play Protect scans 125 billion apps daily to help protect you from malware and unwanted software.
Google Play services helps to ensure the security and reliability of an Android device, and keep devices updated with the latest security features. This includes: Google Play Protect, which can warn users if an app contains known malware.
Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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