In 2024, Google reported blocking over 2.36 million policy-violating Android apps from being published on the Google Play app marketplace. Additionally, they banned more than 158,000 bad developer accounts trying to publish harmful apps. The company also prevented 1.3 million apps from accessing sensitive user data unnecessarily by collaborating with third-party developers.
Google Play Protect, a default security feature on Android devices, identified 13 million new malicious apps from sources outside the official app store. Moreover, the partnership with developers has resulted in over 91% of app installs on the Google Play Store using the latest protections of Android 13 or newer.
Efforts to block potentially unsafe apps in various markets have secured 10 million devices from risky installation attempts, spanning over 200,000 unique apps. Google also introduced a new “Verified” badge for consumer-facing VPN apps that have undergone a Mobile Application Security Assessment audit.
The continuous battle to protect the Android ecosystem is highlighted by the discovery of new malware strains like Tria Stealer targeting Android users in Malaysia and Brunei. This malware collects sensitive data from various apps and has been distributed through Telegram and WhatsApp. The stolen information is used for fraudulent activities, including requesting money transfers and spreading the malware to contacts.
Kaspersky has identified Tria Stealer as a threat targeting Android users, with similarities to previous malware campaigns. The operators behind Tria Stealer aim to hijack personal messaging accounts and potentially gain access to online services. This highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to secure mobile devices from evolving threats in the digital landscape.
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