• Latest
  • All
  • How To
Malware Scanner

Google Chrome for Android Will Soon Scan APKs for Malware

June 9, 2025
Bitchat

Jack Dorsey Launches Bitchat, a Bluetooth-Only Messaging App

July 10, 2025
YouTube AI slop is getting demonetized

YouTube Declares War on Low-Effort AI Videos via Demonetization

July 10, 2025
Why Can'y You Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

Why You Cannot Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

July 10, 2025
Former Safaricom Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Karuri-Kropac

Frankline Okata Takes Over as Cynthia Karuri-Kropac Exits Safaricom PLC

July 10, 2025
DHgate Tablet Cases deals
AI

OpenAI and Perplexity Launch Browsers to Rival Google Chrome

July 10, 2025
Vivo-Y29-4G

Vivo Y29 Launches in Kenya at KES 23,999

July 10, 2025
galaxy z fold7-galaxy z flip7-samsung

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 with Bigger Screens

July 10, 2025
GTA VI

Rockstar May Be Testing 96-Player Servers for GTA 6

July 10, 2025
Former X CEO, Linda Yaccarino

Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years

July 9, 2025
Apple-WWDC25-iOS-26

iPhone Users Are Not Too Happy With the iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design

July 9, 2025
Official document handover by Bernard Mwonyonyo and Habib Lukaya from Roam.

E-Mobility in Kenya Gets a Lift with New Bike Financing Program

July 9, 2025
Samsung

This Samsung Security Update Could Change How You Use Your Phone

July 9, 2025
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Editorial
No Result
View All Result
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Editorial
No Result
View All Result
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
No Result
View All Result

Google Chrome for Android Will Soon Scan APKs for Malware

Naftary Thitu by Naftary Thitu
June 9, 2025
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
302
0
Malware Scanner

Google is stepping up its security game for android users by introducing a built-in malware scanner in chrome. This feature currently in testing within Chrome Canary is designed to scan APK files downloaded through the browser, offering an additional layer of protection for those who sideload apps.

Traditionally, android has relied on Google Play Protect to scan apps post-installation, warning users if an app contains malware or other security risks. However, this approach left a gap. Malicious apps could be installed before Play Protect flagged them.

Now with Chrome’s built-in malware scanner, Google aims to intercept threats earlier by checking APK downloads before they even reach the installation phase.

How the New Malware Scanner Works

The feature, currently hidden behind an experimental flag in Chrome Canary, offers four settings:

  • Default: Chrome decides when to scan and warn you.
  • Enabled: Activates malware scanning for APK downloads, blocking suspicious files.
  • Enabled (Telemetry Only): Collects data on malicious APK downloads without blocking them, helping Google refine its detection system.
  • Disabled: Turns the feature off completely.

If Chrome detects a suspicious APK, it will issue a warning prompt, advising users of potential risks before installation.

While Google Play Protect has been the primary security layer for a sideloaded app, Chrome’s new approach suggests a move toward proactive protection. Instead of waiting for an app to be installed, Google now wants to stop potential malware before it even lands on your device.

Once fully rolled out, this feature will be enabled by default for all users with Safe Browsing turned on in Chrome’s Privacy and Security settings.

As of now, the built-in malware scanner is still in the experimental phase and only available in Chrome Canary. While there’s no official release date for the stable version, its presence in Canary indicates that Google is actively working toward a wider rollout.

For now, if you frequently sideload APKs, keeping Google Play Protect enabled is still recommended. This new Chrome feature will eventually complement Play Protect, offering a multi-layered defense against malware.

Sideloading apps has always been a double-edged sword, offering freedom and flexibility but also exposing users to potentially harmful software. By integrating malware scanning directly into Chrome, Google is making Android a safer platform without limiting user choice.

Tags: AndroidGoogleGoogle PlayMalware
SendShare169Tweet106
Naftary Thitu

Naftary Thitu

Tech enthusiast and ICT guru by trade, I've swapped debugging code for decoding tech trends. When I’m not wrangling with cybersecurity conundrums or geeking out over the latest gadgets, I’m busy turning techie mumbo jumbo into engaging, often hilarious, articles.

Related Posts

AI

OpenAI and Perplexity Launch Browsers to Rival Google Chrome

July 10, 2025
Open TV

Open TV Brings Fast and Ad-Free IPTV to Android

July 7, 2025
DeepSeek_vs_ChatGPT

Hackers Build Malware That Tries to Reprogram AI Security Tools

July 1, 2025
google gmail

Google Rolls Out AI Cleanup Tool on Web for Messy Gmail Inboxes

June 30, 2025
Subscription Nuisance: Gmail's New Tool Arrives in Kenya

Gmail Now Lets You See and Cancel All Your Email Subscriptions

June 29, 2025
Google Ask Photos

Google Relaunches Ask Photos with Faster, Smarter AI Search

June 27, 2025

Latest

Bitchat

Jack Dorsey Launches Bitchat, a Bluetooth-Only Messaging App

July 10, 2025
YouTube AI slop is getting demonetized

YouTube Declares War on Low-Effort AI Videos via Demonetization

July 10, 2025
Why Can'y You Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

Why You Cannot Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

July 10, 2025
Former Safaricom Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Karuri-Kropac

Frankline Okata Takes Over as Cynthia Karuri-Kropac Exits Safaricom PLC

July 10, 2025
AI

OpenAI and Perplexity Launch Browsers to Rival Google Chrome

July 10, 2025
Vivo-Y29-4G

Vivo Y29 Launches in Kenya at KES 23,999

July 10, 2025

Best devices

budget smartwatches 2025

Best Budget Smartwatches To Buy in Kenya 2025

February 13, 2025

Best Infinix Smartphones To Buy in Kenya 2024

February 13, 2025

Best Laptops for Battery Life in 2024

August 21, 2024

Best “Battery Warrior” Smartphones To Buy in 2024

August 22, 2024

Jack Dorsey Launches Bitchat, a Bluetooth-Only Messaging App

July 10, 2025

YouTube Declares War on Low-Effort AI Videos via Demonetization

July 10, 2025

Techweez is a fast growing influential source of technology news, reviews and analysis by leading tech geeks in the industry.

Follow Us

Editorials

Abductions and Arrests! Kenyan Government’s Fear and Hate of X Users Makes No Sense

Actors and Film Crews Are Worried About Veo 3 Taking Their Jobs

Samsung QLED TVs Now Officially Certified for Real Quantum Dot Technology

Trump’s Tariffs Will Be the End of Affordable Tech

5 Ways to Prep Your Tech for Resale

The Weaponization of PDFs: How Cybercriminals Are Exploiting a Trusted Format

More News

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 with Bigger Screens

Rockstar May Be Testing 96-Player Servers for GTA 6

Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years

iPhone Users Are Not Too Happy With the iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design

E-Mobility in Kenya Gets a Lift with New Bike Financing Program

This Samsung Security Update Could Change How You Use Your Phone

  • Terms Of Use
  • Techweez Brand
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2024 Techweez - Palahala Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites.
A Palahala Media Group Brand. All rights reserved.
.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
Crunchy Cookies 🍪 Ahead!

Hey there! Just a heads-up: we're big fans of cookies - both the digital and edible kind! 🍪 We use our cookies and some from third parties to ensure your browsing experience on our site is smooth sailing and secure.

 

But wait, there's more! We also use cookies to gather stats and insights on how you navigate our site. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes peek at your digital adventures!

 

Don't worry, you're in control. You can adjust your cookie settings anytime to suit your preferences. Feeling curious? Dive into our Privacy Policy for all the juicy details. Happy browsing! 🚀

Functional Always active
Listen, this legal stuff is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But it basically says we only use your stuff for what you asked us to do, and nobody else gets to peek!
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
It's those sneaky cookie crumbs websites leave behind to count visitors, like counting ants at a picnic! Totally harmless, just for fun facts. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
Hey there! Just letting you know we use some fancy gizmos to remember your preferences. This way, we can show you ads that are, well, not completely bananas.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Make cookies
{title} {title} {title}
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
Crunchy Cookies 🍪 Ahead!
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
Listen, this legal stuff is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But it basically says we only use your stuff for what you asked us to do, and nobody else gets to peek!
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
It's those sneaky cookie crumbs websites leave behind to count visitors, like counting ants at a picnic! Totally harmless, just for fun facts. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
Hey there! Just letting you know we use some fancy gizmos to remember your preferences. This way, we can show you ads that are, well, not completely bananas.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Make cookies
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Editorial
  • Automotive
  • Entertainment

© 2024 Techweez - Palahala Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites.
A Palahala Media Group Brand. All rights reserved.
.