Latest news with #AdvancedProtection
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Forbes
Google's Android Warning—Do Not Install Any Of These Apps
These apps are dangerous — period. Google released Android 16 for supported Pixel phones this week, putting pressure on Samsung to rush out One UI 8 to avoid any repeat of One UI 7's frustrations. While the upgrade brings many new features, one stands out — but it comes with a warning. Advanced Protection Mode, Google says, protects you from 'online attacks, harmful apps, unsafe websites, scam calls and more.' Apple's similar Lockdown Mode is just for 'the very few individuals who, because of who they are or what they do, might be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats.' Apple says 'most people will never be targeted by attacks of this nature.' But Google's Advanced Protection Mode is different. 'Whether you're an at-risk individual or you just prioritize security,' this 'activates its strongest security for mobile devices, providing greater peace of mind that you're protected against the most sophisticated threats.' I highly recommend all users enable Advanced Protection after upgrading to Android 16. It enables almost all Android's existing safeguards and prevents them from being disabled. These include theft protection, safe browsing, new scam defenses and auto-blocking unsafe networks and cables. Plus Play Protect, of course. Advanced Protection Mode Play Protect is Google's expansive Play Store monitoring and defense tool for known threats installed onto phones via apps, whether or not they come from Play Store. And this is where Advanced Protection Mode takes security to a new level for Android, with that new warning for users enabling the setting. Advanced Protection Mode. Advanced Protection Mode blocks sideloading — period. It cannot be disabled. 'Only downloads from pre-loaded app stores will be allowed,' Google says. That doesn't just mean Play Store, of course, Samsung's store will also be allowed for example. Take Google's 'harmful app' warning seriously and stop any sideloading. This is long overdue for the vast majority of Android users, who are tempted or lured into direct installs or links to third-party stores, installing dangerous, un-filtered apps onto their phones. Once Google flags a risk, it is added to Play Protect but in that interim period, vast numbers of Android users are put at risk. You should enable Advanced Protection Mode, but even ahead of upgrading to Android 16 you should stop downloading any apps from outside official stores. It's not worth the risk. Google has been heightening its sideloading warnings over the last year. This is a natural culmination of all those warnings and cyber reports flagging malicious apps. This is a controversial step — sideloading is one of the key differentiators to iPhone, and a favored flexibility tool for diehard Android fans. But for all everyday users, it's too easy an attack vector for bad actors. This latest upgrade is very welcome.
Digital Trends
13-06-2025
- Digital Trends
Android 16 put a digital bodyguard on my phone and you must enable it
Over the past couple of years, Android's focus on user safety and device security has been pretty evident. The company has leveraged AI to build features that listen to calls and read messages in real-time and alert users if they are at risk of getting scammed. Similar guardrails have also been put in place for web browsing in Chrome, and a whole bunch of lost device portion protocols have been baked into the OS' core. A few of them have remained exclusive to Google's Pixel phones (and some Samsung devices) so far, but with the release of Android 16, these benefits are now being extended to the entire platform. Recommended Videos Two of those standout features that are now standard fare for Android devices moving ahead are Advanced Protection and Identity Check. These two essentially serve as digital bodyguards when the phone's in your hands, and even in scenarios it's beyond your reach. Identity Check The idea behind Identity Check is not too different from theft protection. Think of it like carrying a briefcase that contains sensitive paperwork, and it can only be opened using keys that are in the hands of higher-ranked officials in a lab, and those keys can never leave the lab, either. In the case of Android 16, trusted locations act as that security key to access sensitive features on your Android phone. When you enable it, access to the following data and settings is automatically locked behind an identity verification: Password autofill, Passwords and passkeys, changing screen lock method and details, factory reset, Find Hub deactivations, disabling theft protections, turning off identity check, changing and viewing trusted locations, setting up a new device using a stolen phone, and access to developer options. Those are all changes that pose a tangible risk to the security of your data. In other words, if someone steals away with your phone, or you are worried that a bad actor is peeking at your screen for the passcode or service passwords, locking it behind a biometric verification in untrusted places will keep the data on your device safe. And with it, everything else associated with your Google account. The threat is real. In 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported how thieves, using the knowledge of an iPhone's passcode, are locking users out of their own phone and causing all kinds of trouble, including serious financial damage. In a nutshell, when you enable it, all your sensitive data and settings will require an extra layer of identity verification. I will strongly suggest that when you activate it, try to enable biometric lock (fingerprint or face scan) so that even if it can't be replicated by a thief, even if they have stolen your device, or someone is just trying to mess with your unattended phone. Also, the trusted location is stored on your phone and not shared with Google. Additionally, you can (and should) enable it for all your Android devices separately. Advanced Protection Think of this as some sort of magic pill that offers end-to-end protection for your Android 16-powered phone. Whether you are browsing the web, installing apps, or there are risks from malware packages and leaky networks, enabling Advanced Protection will cover it all. In fact, once you enable it, all the native features that are designed to protect you from attacks can't be disabled without your explicit approval. As soon as you enable it, your phone gets hardware as well as software-level protection across apps, web browsing, messaging, and calling. The core idea is that you no longer have to dig into the Settings pages or a web dashboard to enable safety features for each scenario. There is also a dedicated system to protect your Google account. To enable it, go to the settings app, open the 'Security & privacy' dashboard, and scroll down to find the Advanced Protection option. So, how does it work? Let's start at the device level. As soon as you enable it, it activates theft detection lock, offline device lock, inactivity reboot, and USB protection. What does that mean? To start, it blocks the USB port so that it only allows charging, and no data transfer or exfiltration. Android 16 relies on an AI-powered system that can sense if a device has been snatched using motion cues. For such scenarios, the phone automatically locks itself. If the device is kept offline by the thief or they try to repeatedly unlock the screen by guessing the passcode, the device lock defaults to your biometrics, which can't be spoofed. If you realize that your phone has been stolen, using the verified phone number and security question on a web dashboard, you can remotely lock the phone's screen. Finally, if your device stays unlocked for 72 hours, it reboots itself, which makes all the stored data unreadable until a fresh unlock. Next, Advanced Protection automatically enabled safe browsing protocols in Chrome. When you visit a site that is risky, the browser will show you warnings about malware, abusive sites and extensions, phishing risks, malicious page elements, and intrusive ads. Moreover, if you intend to download a file package, you will see a warning about that, as well. The Enhanced Safe Browsing mode can identify scam URLs that try to pass off as a legitimate service. All this happens because a sample of the webpage you are visiting is sent to Google for threat analysis, and it is accordingly flagged. Sniffing scams everywhere In the pre-installed Messages app, Google's AI will look for patterns in text messages to sense scams. Once something fishy is detected, users will be warned and given an option to instantly block and report it. The AI will look for package delivery and job scams, among others, and will also warn them about risky links, especially from unknown contacts and international numbers. A similar system is in place for calls, where the AI will screen and decline spam calls. Additionally, an AI will listen to the conversations, and when users are at risk of a social engineering attack or any such scam, they will see on-screen, audio, and haptic warning messages. For example, if a bad actor tells users to share an OTP, enable screen sharing, or install an app, an alert will be issued mid-way through the call. Finally, to thwart risks from bad apps, Advanced Protection in Android 16 will enable the full Google Play Protect security suite. Aside from regularly scanning apps for malware, it also blocks the installation of apps from untrusted sources and enables an MTE feature that prevents an app from corrupting the local memory. Overall, if you ever wished for a one-ring-to-rule-them-all safety solution for your phone, Android 16 finally brings it to your table. And once you install the update, make sure that you activate Advanced Protection and Identity Check without any delay.
Android Authority
10-06-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 introduces Advanced Protection mode to fortify your phone against threats
From harmful apps to insecure connections, there are all kinds of risks you're exposed to. Thankfully, Android features a range of security settings to keep your device and data protected from these threats. To take this protection even further, Google is rolling out an Advanced Protection mode with Android 16 . Today, Android 16 is coming to eligible devices, and with it, Advanced Protection mode. As Android 16 beta users are aware, this isn't the first time we've seen this feature, but now it's rolling out widely on the stable channel. This feature can be accessed by going to the Settings app, navigating to Personal & device safety, and finding the Advanced Protection page. On this page, you'll see a toggle to safeguard your device. Advanced Protection doesn't necessarily add any additional protections, but when it's turned on, it will activate several of Android's highest-tier security protocols. This protection covers a range of categories, which include: Device Safety: This locks down your device if it's stolen or confiscated, and it can block USB data transfers. This locks down your device if it's stolen or confiscated, and it can block USB data transfers. Apps: Scans for malware, blocks apps from unknown sources, and prevents apps from corrupting device memory. Scans for malware, blocks apps from unknown sources, and prevents apps from corrupting device memory. Network: Blocks all unsecured connections, including 2G and WEP. However, 2G will still be available for emergency calling only. It also prevents the device from automatically reconnecting to insecure networks. Blocks all unsecured connections, including 2G and WEP. However, 2G will still be available for emergency calling only. It also prevents the device from automatically reconnecting to insecure networks. Web: Defends your phone against malicious websites, enforces HTTPS for all website connections on Chrome when possible, and prevents JavaScript from running. Defends your phone against malicious websites, enforces HTTPS for all website connections on Chrome when possible, and prevents JavaScript from running. Calls: There are several safety measures here to prevent spam and scam calls from reaching you. There are several safety measures here to prevent spam and scam calls from reaching you. Messaging: Adds extra protection against spam and scams via text message. It's important to note that once Advanced Protection mode is toggled on, you won't be able to adjust individual security settings until it's toggled off. Seeing as this feature is designed specifically to enable all of Android's highest security settings, it makes sense. Advanced Protection is available on devices running Android 16.
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Business Standard
05-06-2025
- Business Standard
Android 16 QPR Beta 1.1 brings security features introduced at Google I/O25
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1.1 brings Google's Advanced Protection and bug fixes for Pixel phones, improving device security, app safety, and network protection New Delhi
Android Authority
30-05-2025
- General
- Android Authority
Google starts letting Android 16 testers try Advanced Protection mode for maximum phone security
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google is beginning to introduce the Advanced Protection mode feature to users on Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1. Advanced Protection is a one-click toggle for enhanced security measures on the entire device, including theft protection, network security, app restrictions, and more. Once Advanced Security is enabled, individual settings cannot be adjusted. Sometimes your worst enemy is yourself. Or maybe you just want some extra protection on your device to keep you and your data safe from other, more malicious hands. Either way, one can never have too much protection, especially when our lives are on our phones, and Google's Advanced Protection mode in Android 16 is a valuable tool to keep you safe. If you're currently testing Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, then you should be getting access to the new Advanced Protection feature (we previewed it in an APK teardown) that Google is rolling out to users (Thanks: @AyushmaanT on Telegram). This is a one-click toggle that will turn on several of the highest tier security settings on the device, and once enabled, there is no way to adjust the individual security settings. It's like a security blanket that aims to make sure your device is safe from known threats, like no sideloading, USB data access, and more. Of course, even though this mode ensures that users have the safest experience with their device, it's not on by default. Users have to opt in themselves, but that's not too hard to do. If you want to enable Advanced Protection, go to the Settings app on your device, select Personal & device safety, and find the Advanced Protection page. Switch the toggle for device protection to on. Once Advanced Protection is on, those security protocols cannot be adjusted, so it's basically one-size-fits-all for your device's safety. There are a few different categories of protection too, so here's a brief overview of each one. Device Safety: Protects your device from theft, confiscation, and even blocks USB data transfers. Protects your device from theft, confiscation, and even blocks USB data transfers. Apps: Keeps your device safe from unknown, potentially malicious apps, and also prevents apps from corrupting device memory. Keeps your device safe from unknown, potentially malicious apps, and also prevents apps from corrupting device memory. Network and Wi-Fi: This blocks all unsecured connections, including 2G and WEP. However, 2G will still be available for emergency calling only. It also prevents the device from automatically reconnecting to insecure networks. This blocks all unsecured connections, including 2G and WEP. However, 2G will still be available for emergency calling only. It also prevents the device from automatically reconnecting to insecure networks. Web: Safeguards your phone from malicious websites, Chrome enforces HTTPS for all website connections when possible, and prevents Javascript from running. Safeguards your phone from malicious websites, Chrome enforces HTTPS for all website connections when possible, and prevents Javascript from running. Phone by Google: There are several safety measures here to prevent spam and scam calls from reaching you. There are several safety measures here to prevent spam and scam calls from reaching you. Messages by Google: Similar to Phone, it adds extra protection against spam and scams. Individually, these are not new security settings — they've already existed as an option on Android for a while. But with Advanced Protection, all of these will be on and the user cannot adjust them in any way. Like mentioned earlier, we can be our own worst enemy, and this mode helps keep us safe from — well — ourselves, as well as other malicious forces. Google does have an API that third-party apps can utilize to detect when Advanced Protection is on, but it's up to individual developers to use it. When they do, then they can add their own security features in addition to the default settings. If you're currently on Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, you should start seeing the option for Advanced Protection on your device, if you haven't already. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
