It often goes unnoticed, but one of our best allies on our Android mobile is Play Protection. This is an antivirus integrated into our mobile phone (so it is not a good idea to download another one, because there is one that is constantly updated) and although it sometimes breaks, it is a guarantee of good security.

Google is constantly updating its antivirus to make it more effective and even protect us in the browser, but it has also introduced a new seal that indicates that an application has been evaluated by an external organization for greater security. AND VPN apps were the first to receive this type of ‘seal of quality’.

An extra layer of security on Google Play

There are many types of applications that can be vulnerable and unsafe, but VPN is even more than that. The reason is this We use VPNs (Virtual Private Network) to browse more securely when we connect to public networks.

A VPN has more uses, but security is one of the main reasons to use this system. But we enter most of our data (e.g. emails, phone numbers and passwords) and If the VPN app itself is insecure, we can leave ourselves very exposed.

That’s why Google has released this new security review of VPN apps, as we read on Android Authority. This independent analysis is performed under the terms of the Open Web Application Security Project. and double authentication, which does not guarantee that an app is 100% secure, but does provide greater security to the user.

Additionally, it is the public version of the app that is analyzed, not the beta version provided by the developer; hence the analysis body has access to the version that users will download.

On the left is NordVPN with its new security seal. Another VPN on the right

And the best thing is that it is available now. If you go to Google Play and search for ‘VPN’ you will see a highlight called ‘Independent Security Review’ This indicates that applications with guard seals pass this inspection.

By clicking ‘More information’ we can access the list where we find applications such as NordVPN or Google One, as it also has a VPN focused on security and therefore more limited than other options.

If you are inside an app and want to see where the seal is, all you have to do is go to the ‘Data security’ section and there you will see the shield that says ‘Independent security review’.

App Defense Alliance list is expected to fill up slowly There are more and more apps showing this seal, but for now it’s good news that they’re starting with something as sensitive as VPNs.

Cover image | Xataka Android

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