Google recently released its annual Android safety report. It shows that only 0.04% of apps installed through the Google Play Store contained potentially harmful content for you.
However, if we make a comparison with 2017, we see an increase in this type of apps in the Play Store. During this period, Google reported only 0.02% of potentially malicious apps. That is, we can say that this type of apps doubled in 2018.
Still, this increase is not necessarily bad. In fact, this is because Google has expanded the categories into which such malicious applications fall. Therefore, we can say that the user is safer today than in 2017.
Google Play Store is not completely foolproof against malicious apps
Without ever revealing the specific number of such applications, SensorTower makes its estimate. This entity estimates that there are 75.7 billion apps in the Google Play Store, resulting in 30.3 million potentially malicious apps.
Given these numbers, Google emphasizes that its new security policies are having real effects on users' safety. As a result, the company reports that only 0.08% of users who install apps exclusively from the Play Store have been affected by these apps.
Something that has been actively contributing to these results is Google Play Protect. It's an Artificial Intelligence engine that works almost like an antivirus for the Mountain View company's app store.
As we always say, the best way to keep your Android smartphone safe is by installing apps from the Play Store only. Still, this report from Google demonstrates that not even your app store is fully secure.
In any case, we do not want to raise any alarmism on this subject. The Google Play Store is still the safest place to install your apps, and that's what you should tell all your friends.
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