Google Play store

AppWizard
April 1, 2025
Google has introduced a yellow warning banner in the Google Play Store to alert Android users about apps that are frequently uninstalled. This banner indicates that an app may not be meeting user expectations and could be due to poor functionality, excessive advertisements, or inflated costs. Additionally, Google has implemented two other notifications: one indicating lower user engagement with an app and another showing fewer users compared to other apps. These features aim to help users make more informed app choices and avoid potentially harmful applications. Google Play Protect is also available to scan downloaded apps for security, including those from outside the Play Store. Users can enable settings to improve harmful app detection, enhancing overall safety in the app ecosystem.
AppWizard
March 31, 2025
Google warns Android users about the risks of downloading apps from sources outside the Google Play Store, noting that such apps are 50 times more likely to contain malware. In 2023, Google removed around 2.3 million suspicious apps from the Play Store and banned over 300 apps that circumvented Android's security measures, which had over 60 million downloads and were involved in deceptive advertising and phishing schemes. Google is enhancing its Play Protect Live Threat Detection system to combat fake and dangerous apps. Recommendations for protecting phones include downloading apps only from the Google Play Store, checking reviews and ratings, installing security updates, and avoiding unknown links.
AppWizard
March 31, 2025
Google's AI-driven threat detection and security measures blocked approximately 2.36 million policy-violating applications from being released on the Play Store last year. In February, Google removed hundreds of malicious applications that were infecting devices with adware and malware. Over 50 times more Android malware originates from internet-sideloaded sources compared to those found on the Play Store. Google is expanding its Play Protect feature across all applications and the upcoming Android 15 will introduce live threat detection. Sophos warned about PJobRAT malware, which can steal SMS messages, contacts, and files from infected Android devices. Experts advise against sideloading apps unless their legitimacy and security are certain.
BetaBeacon
March 30, 2025
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is set to debut on Android and iOS devices on April 14. Players take on the role of Sargon, a warrior on a mission to rescue Prince Ghassan. The game features fast-paced combat, parkour moves, and puzzles, with time-manipulating abilities. Developed by Ubisoft Da Nang, the game runs at 60 frames per second and offers touch screen or external controller options. The mobile version includes features like auto-potion, auto-parry, and slow time options, as well as accessibility features that won an award. Pre-registration is now open on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
AppWizard
March 26, 2025
Cybercriminals are using Microsoft’s .NET MAUI framework to create advanced Android malware that bypasses security measures and compromises user data. A study by McAfee researchers highlights a rise in malicious apps developed with this tool since its introduction in May 2022. These apps often impersonate legitimate applications, particularly from financial institutions, and are distributed through third-party websites or alternative app stores. One example is a counterfeit app mimicking the official IndusInd Bank app, targeting users in India to extract sensitive information. Another variant targets Chinese-speaking users by disguising itself as a social networking service. The malicious apps are designed to be subtle, with harmful code concealed as blob files within the assemblies directory, making detection difficult for antivirus solutions. Hackers use multi-stage dynamic loading, where the Android executable file is loaded in three stages, each encrypted until execution. They also manipulate the AndroidManifest.xml file by adding excessive permissions, complicating analysis and detection. Additionally, attackers replace standard HTTP requests with encrypted TCP socket connections to evade security software. These evolving tactics indicate a potential increase in similar mobile malware threats in the future.
Search