Google explains how its Android 4.2 malware scanner guards the side door

[ ](http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/02/android-malware-scanner/)

Sideloading apps on Android implies a whole set of [security holes](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/06/mcafee-shows-how-major-android-scamware-ticks/), but the [new malware scanner](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/12/google-play-store-update/) included in [Android 4.2](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/google-bumps-android-to-4-2-keeps-jelly-bean-moniker/) could provide a much-needed plug. Talking to _Computerworld, _Android VP of Engineering Hiroshi Lockheimer revealed that Google's been analyzing APKs that crop up online, regardless of whether they're official market apps or not, in order to maintain a growing database of good and bad code. The scanner -- shown above -- then works in a similar way to the [Bouncer on the front gate](http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/02/googles-bouncer-service-scans-the-android-market-for-malware/), comparing all the apps on your phone to that database. The new sentry helps Google build upon other Android 4.2 security features such as an improved app permission screen and a block against apps sending premium SMS messages in the background. On the other hand, some might say that collecting samples of existing malware will never be as powerful as truly [understanding its DNA](http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/android-malware-genome-proje/).

Filed under: [Cellphones](http://www.engadget.com/category/cellphones/), [Tablets](http://www.engadget.com/category/tablets/), [Software](http://www.engadget.com/category/software/), [Mobile](http://www.engadget.com/category/mobile/), [Google](http://www.engadget.com/category/google/)

[Google explains how its Android 4.2 malware scanner guards the side door](http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/02/android-malware-scanner/) originally appeared on [Engadget](http://www.engadget.com) on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:36:00 EDT. Please see our [terms for use of feeds](http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).

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