Google ‘Bouncer’ service to Bounce malware out of Android Market

In recent days Android malware problem or lack of washing hasmonopolized the scene as various vendors security suite showederrors of the ecosystem. Google has developed an appropriate response to the fuss is all in the form of a malware scanning application code-named "Bouncer". Just yesterday, I wrote thatGoogle should take the lead in cleaning up the Android Marketmalware, and here we are with "Bouncer". Google Bouncerclaims it can scan the marketplace for malware and remove themwithout affecting the user experience. Developers will just need tomanage their applications through an approval process minor,where the application will be scanned for all kinds of malware.

According to VP of Engineering Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer,Bouncer can scan for Trojans and spyware recently uploaded any conduct surveillance at the same time suspicious app, which could trigger a red flag. The service also runs simulations of eachapplication on Google state of the art, cloud infrastructure and isa regular tab on the accounts of developers.

Lockheimer also mentioned that, contrary to all recent reports ofAndroid malware, the malware problem has fallen 40% in the first and second halves of 2011. Other than that, he said other security features of the platform that make it resistant against malicious software.

Android and Security:

The past year has been phenomenal for the Android ecosystem.Activations of devices has increased 250% year on year, and the total number of downloads from the Android Market app top 11 billion. As the platform continues to grow, we focused on Aore bring you the best new features and innovations, including security.

Adding another layer of security for Android

Today we, Aore revealing a service that we, Äôve developed Bouncer code name, which provides automated scanning of the Market for potentially malicious software without disrupting the user experience of Android Market or by requiring developers go through an approval process requests.

The department conducts a series of tests on new applications, applications already in the Market, and the accounts of developers. Here, OSA's how it works: once an application is downloaded, the service starts immediately analyzing malware, spyware and trojans known. It also looks for behaviors that indicate an application can be bad behavior, and compares it to applications previously analyzed to detect any red flags. We actually run all applications on Google, OSA cloud infrastructure and simulate how it will work on an Android device to find hidden malicious behavior. We also analyze the accounts of new developers to help prevent malicious developers and repeat offending again.

Android downloads malware are down

The service was looking for malicious applications on the market for a while now, and between the first and second halves of 2011, we saw a 40% decrease in the number of potentially malicious downloads on Android Market. This decline occurred at the same time that companies who market and sell anti-malware and security software reported that malicious applications are increasing. Although he, OSA not possible to prevent the evil malware building, the most important measure is whether these applications are installed from Android Market bad - and we know that the rate is decreased significantly.

Android malware is less powerful

In addition to using new services to help prevent malicious software, we developed Android from the beginning to the mobile malware less disruptive. In the PC model, malware has more potential to misuse your information. We learned from this approach, the design for Android Internet-connected devices.Some of Android, AOS basic security features are:

• Sandboxing: The Android platform uses a technique called “sandboxing” to put virtual walls between applications and other software on the device. So, if you download a malicious application, it can't access data on other parts of your phone and its potential harm is drastically limited.
• Permissions: Android provides a permission system to help you understand the capabilities of the apps you install, and manage your own preferences. That way, if you see a game unnecessarily requests permission to send SMS, for example, you don’t need to install it.
• Malware removal: Android is designed to prevent malware from modifying the platform or hiding from you, so it can be easily removed if your device is affected. Android Market also has the capability of remotely removing malware

No security approach is foolproof, and added scrutiny can often lead to important improvements. Our systems are getting better at detecting and eliminating malware every day, and we continue to invite the community to work with us to keep Android safe.