How to make sure your apps are safe with Google Play Protect

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source: How to make sure your apps are safe with Google Play Protect

Google has started rolling out Google Play Protect to Android devices. Jack Wallen explains how this new feature detects malicious apps, and points out its biggest flaw.

By now, you should be very aware that Google has worked tirelessly to introduce a new system that will go a very long way to protect your device(s) from malicious software. That system is Google Play Protect.

Before you get too excited, not every device has the pleasure of getting to know this new feature just yet. Google Play Protect rolled out with Google Play Services 11. To find out which version of Google Play Services is on your device, go to Settings | Apps | Application List | Google Play Services. If your version reads higher than 11 (Figure A), you're in luck and Google Play Protect is already working on your device.

What can you do with Protect?
With that said, what can you do with Google Play Protect? The answer: not much. In fact, if you look in your App Drawer, you don't find a launcher for the new protection system. Open up Settings (or Settings | Security) and there isn't a section marked Google Play Protect. You have to dig into Settings | Google | Security | Verify Apps before you find any indication that Google Play Protect is running and protecting your device.

And so, the question remains, what can you do with Google Play Protect? Again, I say, not much. However, I believe that is exactly how it should be. Google has created a system that requires no user interaction and works completely in the background to scan for harmful apps. Once Google Play Services is updated to at least version 11, Google Play Protect will be installed and enabled by default

A great step forward
Google Play Protect isn't perfect. One improvement I'd like to see, is an indication that the system scans an app immediately upon installation. However, even without that particular feature, this new malicious app scanner is a big step forward for Android. If you make use of this new tool wisely, your Android device will be free of malicious apps.