Online gaming is an integral part of our lives today. Game downloads form a significant chunk of all downloads from Google Play Store. However, do keep in mind that the more software you download, the more exposed you are to malware finding its place to your smartphone. Moreover, with an increasing number of popular games requiring in-app purchases, your financial data and personal security are under greater threat of being breached.
Google is continuously striving to make your mobile operating system as secure as possible. While both iOS and Android devices are attacked by hackers, it has been found that the majority of malware or ransomware are designed for Android as it holds the greater market share. In the last year, there has been an increase in the number of potentially harmful applications or PHAs downloaded from the Google Play Store. Now, Google has changed the security level of Click Fraud to make it at par with that of PHAs. While earlier classified as a policy violation, currently and in future, Click Fraud would be taken as seriously as PHAs.
Allowing only apps from the Apple store, iOS is comparatively much more secure than Google Play which lets you install apps from a third-party app store or by sideloading them. Online gaming platforms are also doing their bit to enhance your security level. Developers have started taking their responsibility towards their gamers more seriously than ever before. With a 2-3-4 step verification process, gaming apps make sure that there are no accidental in-app purchases when you click something accidentally, or your child decides to go behind your back. Certain apps follow a 3-4 multi-layered verification process, at times also requiring your fingerprint for authorizing your purchase.
With an attempt to keep their coding as secure as possible, game developers are prepared to go the extra mile for securing and encrypting the code. There is also much focus on defending code against reverse engineering. Collection of personal data is a universal practice in apps. However, while earlier the data was collated from various players and stored on the standard servers, gradually an increasing number of developers have started opting for more secure cloud storage. Keeping in mind the fact that data breaches can no longer be treated lightly, having the potential to seriously malign the carefully cultivated image of a developer, developers are now focused more then ever on creating more secured apps especially in apps like wallet apps, Cryptocurrencies apps and betting apps,where they have to maintain the data and payment information in a more secured and less breach-able manner.
With gamers taking more responsibility and Google going the extra mile, there is indeed a heightened focus on security at Google Play. Do remember to update your Google Play Store. With the help of in-built malware protection, Google Play Protect, your apps are automatically scanned by Google itself. With its machine learning algorithms, Google is improving in real time, making our online experience via our Android devices as secure as possible.
