Is the Google Play Store Safe? Not Yet February 21, 2020 https://blog.checkpoint.com/2020/02/21/is-the-google-play-store-safe-not-yet/
I admit this is a difficult problem to solve due to the enormous amount of apps available in the Play Store, but surely Google have the resources to effectively combat malware?
RiskIQ report: Google improves mobile app security on Play Store 76% less malicious apps blacklisted March 2, 2020 https://portswigger.net/daily-swig/riskiq-report-google-improves-mobile-app-security-on-play-store
Play Store identified as main distribution vector for most Android malware ...what everyone suspected November 11, 2020 https://www.zdnet.com/article/play-...distribution-vector-for-most-android-malware/ arXiv: How Did That Get In My Phone? Unwanted App Distribution on Android Devices (PDF): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2010.10088
I don't think this can be solved completely. Imo it is not going to install random app from Google Store or App Store and be sure it is not malware. On the other hand people who do use Google Play to download and install apps from well known, trustworthy companies/developers are safe.
But this still is a bit crazy to me, because I have always thought that malware was mostly available on third party app-stores. And yes when it comes to the percentages, third party stores are doing a worse job, but this still confirms that walled gardens aren't a bullet proof solution to the malware problem.
