Warning to Android users: Turn on this setting to keep malicious apps away

There has been a plethora of cases of the security of Android devices being compromised, putting the overly two billion users at risk of hacking. Although one of the most fortified online stores, the Google Play Store has had to remove scores of apps which were clandestinely hosting malicious bugs targeting the personal information of users.

Google Play Protect

While the company does its part to keep hackers away, it has also provided features on your device that you can activate to avoid being a victim of hacking. You should also be very circumspect in the apps you download as many hackers present apps that seem innocent only to steal vital information from you.

According to The Sun, Google Play Protect is one of the free services you could use to protect your privacy. It is a free service that claims to help keep your apps safe and your data private. It works by going through your apps and devices to highlighting suspicious and harmful behaviour. The Sun article said:

Some of the benefits include a scan of any apps from Google Play before you download them. It'll even deactivate or remove harmful apps from your device if it detects something fishy.

How to turn it on

Ordinarily, this feature should already be switched on by default, but to ensure that the Google Play Protect is turned on on your device, you can do so by first opening the Google Play Store. Once you are in, tap your profile icon in the top right. You should see Play Protect in the options that pop. When you do, select Settings and then ensure that scan apps with Play Protect is on.

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