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Is Google planning on integrating an antivirus scanner into Android? A just-released Google Play store app update, as well as the company’s recent acquisition of VirusTotal seem to hint that yes, Google is looking into it.

Google yesterday started rolling out an update to its Google Play Store app version 3.8.17 from August was bumped to version 3.9.16 in October.  The update to the phone has two parts.  The first thing called App Check would apparently allow Google to inspect apps you’ve already downloaded and a second feature would warn you if an app you’re trying to install is suspicious.

Google already has a server-side Play Store malware checker called Bouncer. The automated antimalware system removes malicious apps uploaded to the Play Store and is meant to prevent repeat-offender developers. Yet what is being described here is a client-side antimalware system, which would be particularly useful for apps not on the Play Store that Android users are installing from various sources.

This is not the first time Google has worked on removing and preventing malicious software in July Google has to remove 25 malicious apps which forced them to put Bouncer in place.  There are third party anti virus apps available buy almost every AntiVirus vendor like

  • AVG
  • Zoner
  • Avast
  • Nortain
  • Webroot
  • Mcafee
  • Trendmicro

But this move by Google shows that they are preparing to make some security changes and add possible a built in AntiVirus product on the client side.

With the recent FBI warning to consumers about mobile malware Google is adding better security features and possibly a built in AV on its latest Android mobile OS Jelly Bean 4.1 to avoid future security issues.  With Jelly Bean’s design, Google hopes to defend against hacks that install viruses, along with other malware.