All Questions
Tagged with google-play-store security
45
questions
39
votes
1
answer
12k
views
What is Google up to? Google Play Store updating apps even though auto-update is disabled
Recently, I've noticed Google Play Store automatically "updating" apps, even when auto-updates are explicitly disabled.
I put "updating" in quotes, because all the apps in question ...
- 4,663
31
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Can there be malicious apps on Google Play?
Do I need to worry about malicious apps on Google Play, or can I trust everything I install, so long as I install it from Google Play?
And if I need to worry, what red flags should I look for - ...
- 839
27
votes
3
answers
274k
views
How can I stop being redirected to the App Store/Google Store by dodgy ad-scripts?
There are a load of sites that do this now, and it's really annoying:
I visit a content site on my Android device.
10-15 seconds after loading starts the site hangs for a few seconds.
Google play ...
- 381
26
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Security of Paid apps in Google Play?
What measures does Google takes to ensure that paid apps that are downloaded do not get spread for free? Currently I see a possibility that can leak out a large number of apps:
Someone pays to ...
user16112
22
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Stolen phone: is changing your GMail password enough?
My Galaxy phone got stolen today. Of course I blocked my SIM card and changed my password for GMail (and went to the police) but is this enough? Could the person that stole my phone still log in to ...
- 221
19
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is it "safe" to provide users with the apk file?
I was wondering, if I have an app that is available on the Play Store, is it "safe" to provide a direct download of the apk file to someone (either signed with the proper keys, or just debug-version)?
...
- 1,417
18
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Does Google still have the ability to uninstall apps without user permission (in 2023)?
In the past, Google has admitted that they have the ability to uninstall apps without user permission Exercising Our Remote Application Removal Feature
This post is almost 13 years old, Android was at ...
- 181
16
votes
3
answers
17k
views
How would you uninstall a rogue Home (Launcher) application?
If you were to install a Home Screen application that does not give you access to the System Settings screen (to go to Manage Applications), and also does not let you launch Apps (such as the Market ...
- 487
9
votes
2
answers
368
views
Is there a service that rates app security/permissions?
Is there a service/company/app that vets Android apps and reports on their "trustworthiness"?
I recently moved from Blackberry to a Galaxy S2 which does not have an LED indicator light. I searched ...
- 303
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Can my Android phone be hacked without installing permissions?
After reading this article ( Kaspersky smartphone report ) this got me wondering.
Obviously if I install a dodgy app through Play Store or directly from a website, that can be dangerous, however if I ...
- 91
8
votes
2
answers
647
views
Android and antiviruses
This is actually three questions:
Are anti-viruses needed for smartphones running Android OS?
Is the Android Market absolutely safe (because all precautions are taken by Google to prevent any ...
- 2,365
7
votes
3
answers
429
views
Protection from Malicious Intent
Is there an app, or will Google produce a system, where I can protect my Android device?
Imagine a soundboard app that's free, but it asks for your contact information. The average user might be ...
- 607
7
votes
1
answer
314
views
Buying apps and entering credit card number via 3G/GPRS. Is it secure enough?
As title. Of course using Android market and the Google Checkout payment. By the way, how about other market-like apps?
- 2,369
5
votes
2
answers
192
views
A Windows PC software is pushing its app onto my android devices. How can I avoid it?
This weekend I installed a popular Windows antivirus in my PC laptop. The installer offered the android app, and I denied it.
Nonetheless, a couple hours later all my android devices had the ...
- 1,133
4
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Why do some Android apps need access to my SD card and fine location?
I understand why apps like Maps need to know my specific location, but is it safe to allow any application to access these things? Are there any clues as to which apps are safe and which aren't?
Also,...
- 49