Malware on Android phones is a nuisance we must deal with whether we like it or not. Android devices have always been a subject of security concerns, despite improvements over the years.
The most frustrating part is that this problem is ongoing and can hardly be avoided by the user, as 67% of Android malware comes from Google Play. At least, that’s what a study by IMDEA Software Institute claims.
In the IMDEA report on mobile malware, it was identified that the significant 67% mentioned above comes from apps installed from the official Google store.
It’s evident that Google Play is not the only source of danger, but it’s astonishing that such a large number comes from the official Google store.
Other common channels for malware entering your phone include alternative app stores, web downloads, payment services, and other factory-installed apps known as bloatware.
It’s also surprising that some Android malware comes from backup restorations. To determine the study results, researchers analyzed nearly 8 million app installations on 12 million Android smartphones. During the three-month verification period, one-fourth of users found at least one app that could be dangerous, and based on that, the percentages were determined.
In addition to the aforementioned point about Google Play, for example, in the case of alternative app stores, 10% of cases were discovered. This percentage may not seem very high, but it is, in fact, considering that only 5.7% of total app downloads come from there.
This study does nothing but reaffirm the caution we must take when deciding to install an app. Official stores should not usually be a problem, but we already see that it can happen in some cases. The best recipe is extreme caution and not trusting any developer blindly.
