Google has announced the creation of the App Defense Alliance, a collaboration of the search giant and three cybersecurity firms to vet apps prior to being placed in the Google Play Store.
To accomplish this task ESET, Lookout, and Zimperium, gratis, will integrate their scanning engines with the Google Play Protect detection systems.
“This will generate new app risk intelligence as apps are being queued to publish. Partners will analyze that dataset and act as another, vital set of eyes prior to an app going live on the Play Store,” Google said.
Malicious apps are nothing new to the Google Play Store. Hundreds are found and reported by cybersecurity firms on a regular basis.
“What was previously a reactive effort to catch security vulnerabilities is now a full-fledged and proactive campaign to protect billions of consumers and businesses at the source,” said Tony Anscombe, global security evangelist and industry ambassador, ESET.
