Google Seeks Outside Help To Effectively Exterminate The Play Store’s Malware Infestation
Like many, I do love Android and when Google announced it was bringing support for apps from its titular mobile operating system to Chrome OS, I could hardly contain my excitement but then a bone-chilling fear sets in. Android is a security nightmare and the Play Store, its official application storefront has become a playground for individuals with malicious intent.
Admittingly, fragmentation within the Android community of hardware manufacturers has made it difficult to fix security vulnerabilities and infestation in the Play Store isn’t entirely Google’s fault either.
Creators of app infested malware have become smarter and their methods are more deceptive yet cynical. If they aren’t stuffing cookies, they are trying to feed your intrusive ads. The company through external contributors has managed to expelled several malware-infested apps from the Play Store but they just keep falling through the cracks despite Google’s best efforts.
Luckily, Android apps do run within their own self-contained container on Chrome OS. This protects Core functions of Chrome OS but user data can still be violated if they continue to use these apps.
Realizing it needs outside help, Google is partnering with ESET, Zimperium, and Lookout to form a body dubbed “App Defence Alliance.”
The newly formed alliance with see Google leverage malware detection technologies from its members which are then integrated with Google Play Protect to improve malware detection on the Play Store.
The silicon valley titan is hoping the new alliance will help “stop bad apps before they reach users’ devices.” Members of the App Defence Alliance weren’t randomly picked. All three have contributed to the detection and eventually removal of a very long list of malicious apps from Android’s official storefront.
