How Google is trying to keep the Android Market safe
Yesterday in an official Google blog post, Google revealed just what they're doing (and have been doing for a while) to keep your Android smartphone more secure.
Some of this was already known: for example, Android a technique called Sandboxing to put "virtual walls" between potential malware and other applications on your device. They also use a permissions-based system to help you understand better what various apps are capable of doing, and Google can even remotely remove malware from affected devices if absolutely necessary.
One of Google's tools, however, was news to us. I'm talking about a service, code-named "Bouncer," that automatically scans all of the Android Market to detect potential malware. This process begins as soon as an application is uploaded, and this automated process prevents Google from enforcing an application approval process for developers, and keeps the end user's experience seamless.
Additionally, due to Bouncer, Google saw a 40% drop in malicious apps in 2011. Given all the security mishaps we've seen lately, this should be music to any HTC EVO user's ears.
[Google Mobile Blog via Pocketables]