[Preventive Alert] When Downloading From Play Store

 

Supposedly, regardless WHETHER you're using iPhones OR Android, we would assume that it is SAFE to download from either the Apps Store OR Google Play Store as both Apple and Google have built that reputation for being trustworthy these days.  So, it's easily understandable to assume that if an app is in either the iPhone App Store OR Google Play Store, it is safe to download.  NOT to taint OR besmirch the Google Play Store BUT that assumption is very true for Apps Store because every single application that seeks to be part of it is very heavily vetted by Apple💚💛💜

Quoting Michelle Ehrhardt datelined 09.17.2025 @lifehacker.com, yesterday, a third-party security report revealed that Google had recently removed 224 malicious apps [ouch] from the Android Play Store.  Dubbed “SlopAds” apps by security company Human, which discovered the apps and wrote the report, these apps evaded Google’s usual security procedures and instead used a clever workaround to secretly install malware on users’ devices, even when downloaded straight from Google’s servers✅✅✅

The way these apps worked was that, if you downloaded them by searching for them through the Google Play Store, they would work as advertised with no malware dragging them down. Generally, these apps were pitched as simple utilities, or attempted to pass themselves off as more popular programs like ChatGPT, to try to trick users into downloading them.  if you downloaded one of these apps after arriving at the Play Store via one of SlopAds ad campaigns, it would also secretly download an encrypted configuration file that, after a few post-download checks, would install malware on your device [ouch AS IN ouch]❎❎❎

Once a device was infected, the app would then steal its information, and start using it to generate fake ad impressions on sites run by the scammers, maximizing profit.  SO, HOW DO WE AVOID INSTALLING MALWARE ON YOUR DEVICE? Android is different from iOS in that it allows you to sideload apps onto your device. This can be convenient when working with smaller developers, who might not have the resources to get their programs on the Play Store. But downloading an app that hasn’t been verified by Google opens you up to extra risk😡😡😡

Always be cautious about links to apps that you find on suspicious websites, and especially in ads. It’s still a good idea to turn it on if it isn’t enabled on your device already. This will scan an app for known malware before downloading it, giving you an extra layer of protection. It will also periodically scan apps already installed on your device. To ensure it’s turned on, open the Play Store, click your profile icon in the top right corner, and navigate to Play Protect > Settings. To scan sideloaded apps, you can also turn on the Improve harmful app detection setting, which is in the same spot😗😗😗