What is Google Play Protect and how does it protect Android. All Android apps go through rigorous security testing before appearing on the Google Play Store.
Google Play Protect or Google Protection is a set of free comprehensive security packages for Android gadgets that runs on a machine learning algorithm, so it can recognize relatively new virus programs.
It includes analysis of applications for malicious code, protection of the browser from switching to a potentially dangerous resource, search and blocking of lost devices.
Google Protect will help users protect their device and personal data, as well as determine the location in case of theft or loss, blocking access to it if necessary. Some forms of protection in one form or another were already present in the system, some will be new, but in any case, all these tools will turn out to be a positive solution for ensuring the security of Android devices.
Key Features of Google Protect
The application is endowed by the creators with the following functionality:
- scanning programs from the Play Market for any signs of malware;
- control of installed applications from unknown sources for any signs of shady behavior;
- warning about detected virus codes in programs and uninstallation of malicious applications;
- searching, blocking and, if necessary, erasing information on the device;
- warning about visiting unsafe sites when using the Chrome browser.
The analysis of the downloaded software can be started either manually or let Google Play Protection perform this action automatically.
Distinctive features of Google Play Protect
The tool has a number of distinctive features:
- Combining several protection technologies from Google. It will help to ensure security and keep everything under control.
- Work in automatic mode. Regular updates will only improve the functionality provided by the service.
- Remote access at a distance. Sign in with your Google account, call directly from your browser, or message on your lock screen.
- Network security and confidence. When visiting a suspicious site, a warning and a return to safety.
Android is an open, flexible operating system. Unfortunately, this flexibility comes with more potential security issues. The good news is that Google has a system called Play Protect that helps keep Android secure.
Google Play Protect is Google's vision for Android security under one name. Play Protect is a multi-component system designed to keep your phone secure from the front and back - it's a malware scanner part, a Find My Phone part, and a Safe Browsing part. However, before we get into the details, here's how to find your device's Play Protect status.
How to find information about Play Protect on your device
If you're curious about what Play Protect does on your device, it's pretty easy to do. Launch Play Store.
Open the Play Store menu and select My Apps & Games. The top option on the My Apps & Games page is the Play Protect status summary. Click on it to find out more.
The Play Protect page displays recently scanned apps and you will know if it has found anything questionable and gives you several options. It is very cool.
Now, here's what that means for you and your phone.
Malware Play Protect scanner keeps your phone free of viruses
The main purpose of Play Protect is malware scanning. It uses machine learning to scan and inspect over 50 billion apps every day, both inside and outside the Play Store.
Basically, in the background, the Play Protect malware scanner checks every app listed on the Google Play Store to make sure it's a legitimate app. If something is caught, it is rejected (or removed) from the Play Store.
But Play Protect goes one step further to protect your device even if you download malicious apps. It not only scans apps on the Play Store, but it also scans all apps on your phone for malicious activity - no matter where they're installed from. If she finds something suspicious, you will be notified.
Of course, like any malware scanner, it's not perfect. Some things can slip through, so you also need to be as smart as possible when installing software.
Play Protect protects your lost or stolen phone
If you feel like you suddenly don't know where your phone is, you can use Play Protect Find My Phone to track your device. Whether it's lost or stolen, you can track your phone's current (or last known) location.
And if you don't think you can get your phone back, you can use Find My Phone to remotely lock and wipe your device. Thus, you can at least make sure that your personal information will not be available to prying eyes.
Play Protect protects you online
Play Protect also seamlessly integrates with Chrome to protect you from malware on the web. If it detects malicious code on a website, you are alerted and directed back to safety.
This feature should be familiar to anyone using the Chrome browser on a computer because it's the same basic concept. Chrome watches for any indicator of suspicious activity and blocks it if something suspicious is happening.
Google has developed a new Google Play Protect app that will regularly monitor your device and provide protection against malicious apps and other threats.
What is Google Play Protection?
It's very simple: Google Play Protect is a new feature that replaces the old app verification feature. The component scans the Android device and provides detailed information about the scans. Google Play Protection does not need to be installed, the component is supplied as part of the Google Play app store.
In fact, Google Play Protection is a built-in antivirus that will ensure data security and trouble-free operation of the device. Upon release, the feature was integrated into all Android devices.
Google Play Protection always protects your smartphone from malware and updates automatically. Thanks to the use of machine learning technologies, Google Play Protect can scan 50 million apps per day.
You can access Play Protect by going to Settings > Google > Security > Google Play Protect.
The feature is not limited to scanning apps only from Google Play and also checks apps downloaded from other sources.
If Google Play Protection detects a suspicious application, the component will either disable it or show a warning to the user. The user can view the total number of verified applications. If no threats are found, you will see a green tick icon.
Find device
Google also offers a Find My Device feature that replaces the old Android Device Manager. Android users can quickly wipe all data on a lost device, set off a loud siren, locate the device, and display a message on the screen for the person who finds the lost smartphone.
Siren can be used to find a phone that is lost somewhere at home - no more asking family members to call you. You can also see other Android devices associated with your account.
The updated feature also shows battery life, last known location, and the connected Wi-Fi network. This is a much needed upgrade from Android Device Manager which was first launched in 2013. Android users finally have an updated tool.
Secure browsing
Play Protect also offers a Safe Browsing feature that prevents you from visiting dangerous sites. The site you are trying to access is checked against Google's list of unsafe sites, which is always updated. You will know if a site is safe before you click on a link.
Conclusion
Google Play Protect is a tool that Android users really needed. The capabilities of the new component allow you to maintain the security of your device. What do you think of Play Protect? Share your opinion in the discussions below.
Security from various kinds of viruses and malware has always been a top concern for Android users. It's not that this operating system is not capable of protecting itself, but Google developers usually paid little attention to this. Until the solution with the release of security patches every month, as well as the recent introduction of the latest Google Play Protect system. Today we will talk about the latter.
The security platform (originally Google Play Protect) was unveiled at the annual Google I/O 2017 developer conference. This week saw the launch of a new Android feature for most Android smartphones and tablets. Under what conditions you can use Google Play Protection, as well as how to enable or disable it - read our article.
What is Google Play Protection
Google Play Protect is an advanced and more well-known version of the Google Verify Apps feature, which has been present on Android devices for a long time (few people know about it). The main goal of the Google Play Protect system is to have several functions working simultaneously and providing a comprehensive check of applications and OS for viruses and various malware. Only now, for powerful and universal protection, artificial intelligence is also used - machine learning with its own algorithms.In fact, Google Play Protect has combined all the known security-related features in Android - app verification, safe browsing in the browser, and device search (from Google). Now it all works together under a common name.
Google notes that the new Android security system scans more than 50 billion apps on Android devices worldwide every day. This is hardly a lie, given the number of active Android users (over 2 billion) and the number of applications available for this mobile platform.
How it works
Although Google carefully checks all applications before publishing them directly to the Play Store, some obscure malware still penetrates the store and spreads to the devices of a large number of users. In this case, the user himself is responsible for the security of his Android device - you just need not to "fall for the trick" of the virus.
With Google Play Protection, the company ensures that you are always protected from any virus or malicious application. Google Play Protect is a real-time app scanner before and after installing any application from the Play Store and after it is installed on the device. Antivirus is always active, protecting your smartphone or tablet at any time of the day or night.
Google Play Protect is based on several processes:
- Google Play Protect scans every app you install through the Play Store. A security check is run before booting.
- Once installed, Google Play Protection continues to periodically scan all installed applications on your device to detect any type of malware.
- Google Play Protect checks for updates and new installations from unknown sources.
- Google Play Protect allows you to remotely find, block and wipe data from your device.
Enable or disable Google Play Protection
Google Play Security Security is available for devices running Google Play Services version 11 and above and is enabled by default on your device. To check the version of Google Play Services, go to the Settings app along the path: Apps → Google Play Services → About app → Version. If the version number is higher than 11 (for example, 11.3.04), Google Play Protection must be available on your device.
For smartphones and tablets based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow and below, Google Play Protection is located along the path: Settings → Google → Security → Google Play Protection. In Android 7.0/7.1 Nougat, Google Play Protection is also present in the Play Store interface. You can open the antivirus settings inside the Play Store application from the menu, as well as from the "My apps and games" page in the updates section.
To enable or disable Google Play Protect, follow these steps:
- Go to the device settings, then open the "Google" section.
- Scroll down the page and click "Security" in the "Google Settings" section.
- Click "Google Play Protect" (this feature may also be called "Verify Apps").
- Enable or disable the "Scan for security threats" feature.
Google Play Protect is Google's built-in malware protection for Android. Drawing on the power of Google's machine learning algorithms, it always improves in real time.
Keeping your device safe, 24/7
Google Play Protect is constantly working to keep your device, data, and apps safe. It automatically scans your device and makes sure you have the latest in mobile security so you can rest easy.
Protecting your device even if it's lost
If you missed your device, Find My Device will get you back.
You can find it by logging into your Google account or even calling directly from your browser. Lock the device remotely or display a message on the lock screen so if anyone finds they know who to contact. In addition, if you are sure that it is lost forever, you can erase all your data.
Scan and verify over 50 billion apps every day
All Android apps go through rigorous security testing before appearing on the Google Play Store.
We review every app and developer on Google Play and suspend anyone who breaks our policies. Play Protect then checks billions of apps daily to make sure everything stays in place. This way, no matter where you download the app, you know that it has been verified by Google Play Protect.
Helping you surf on the safe side
With Safe Browsing protection in Chrome, you can browse with confidence. If you visit a site that is out of order, you are warned and returned to safety.
