Google Removes Bogus Security App From Google Play

Google is bound to face renewed questions over the open nature of its app checking policies on Google Play, after the search engine giant hurriedly removed a best-selling security product from its app store.

The app in question is called Virus Shield, which sells for $3.99 (£2.38) and promises to protect a user’s Android device.

The only problem with Virus Shield is that it is a complete and utter fake.

Bogus App

The embarrassment came for Google when Android Police discovered that Virus Shield is a total scam that has potentially defrauded between 10,000 to 50,000 Android users who have downloaded the app.

“Virus Shield is an Antivirus that protects you and your personal information from harmful viruses, malware, and spyware,” reads the Google Play description. “Improve the speed of your phone with just one click. This app was designed so that anyone can use and protect their phone.”

The app promised to protect the device from the installation of harmful apps, as well as scanning apps, settings and files in real-time. It also said it protects personal information, and boasts “strong antivirus signature detection”. In addition, it promises a very low impact on battery life, and runs in the background, and features “no, ZERO pesky advertisments.”

On the surface it sounds great, and in the one week since it went on sale on Google Play, it became the number one paid for app on the store, according to appbrain. The app also received a credible 4.7-star rating on Google Play.

But Android Police decompiled the Java code of Virus Shield and discovered that the app has zero security benefits. Indeed, all the app seemed to do was change the shield icon from an “X” image (signalling no protection) to a tick mark (signalling protection enabled).

Lax Policies?

Perhaps Google should have become suspicious early on, as the developer is listed simply as ‘Deviant Solutions’.

There was no developer website on its Play Store listing, but an email link reveals a Live.com email address and no further information, although the account has apparently been banned elsewhere for selling fake apps.

But the issue does raise worrying questions about Google’s policing of its Play store.

“If you need further evidence that Google has a slip-shod approach to policing the official Android app store, then take a look at this,” wrote security expert Graham Cluely, who went on to describe the Android Police discovery.

“I strongly believe that Android smartphone and tablet users should use an anti-virus product. But bogus apps like this reaching the heady heights of the Google Play store’s top charts does the security industry no favours at all,” wrote Cluely. “It’s hard enough getting our message of online safety out there, without Google allowing dodgy apps like this to be distributed.”

Google has in the past been forced to remove malicious or fake apps, and of course has also now removed Virus Shield from its Play Store.

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