Google tightens Play Protect security and announces new anti-malware measures

Since its launch in 2017, Google continues to develop and perfect. advanced protection program. As a reminder, this initiative is aimed at protecting users whose data is sensitive (journalists, lawyers, politicians, activists, business leaders, etc.). best level of security against hacking or Gmail account theft for example.

As threats adapt and evolve, Google has no choice but to do the same. In this sense, the company announced on its blog on Wednesday, March 18. new anti-malware For Android devices.

Google Play Protect is permanently activated

The first action taken by Google, Any Android device with a Google Account enrolled in the protection program advanced will now benefit Google Play Protection. Play Protect is an application developed by Google to scan and analyze more than 100 billion applications per day and to ensure the security of your Android device, as well as your personal data and various applications. If you are a member of the program, it will now be impossible to disable Google Play Protect.

Non-Google Play apps are prohibited

Still, with the idea of ​​effectively protecting Android devices, Google wants to block the installation of all APK apps that do not come from the Google Play Store. Again, only smartphones and tablets with a Google account registered with the advanced protection program are affected.

According to the company, however, it will always be possible to install commercially available applications.e manufacturers pre-installed, such as Huawei’s App Gallery. It will also be possible to switch over the Android Debug Bridge. Also, non-Google Play apps on your device will not be deleted and users can continue to update them.

Mountain View states that G Suite users enrolled in the program will not be able to take advantage of these additional defenses for Android devices at this time. In any case, these new measures will be implemented gradually. As a result, Google has announced that other new protections for Google Chrome are in preparation and should roll out in 2020. As a reminder, Chrome received new malware protection tools in 2019.

Source : Google Blog