ESET has announced that it is joining the App Defense Alliance as a founding member to protect the Google Play Store. The security company will provide detection capabilities and enhanced security technology to the Android, while also conducting research to make the Google Play Store.
ESET is one of the first members of the alliance, with an active role since November 6, 2019.
This unprecedented alliance comes to complement the existing synergies of ESET with Google, such as the collaboration with Chronicle, which is part of Google Cloud, and the integration of the ESET engine into Google Chrome Cleanup, a security tool that notifies Google Chrome users of potential threats.
Tony Anscombe, Global Security Evangelist and Industry Ambassador of ESET said:
Until recently, efforts to identify security vulnerabilities were done retroactively. Now, we speak of a comprehensive, preventive campaign to protect billions of consumers and businesses from the root of the problem.
ESET consistently pioneers in the threat research field. In collaboration with Google, ESET and the other members of the App Defense Alliance will be able to provide Google with information to eliminate threats, helping Android users stay always one step ahead of cybercriminals.
Google selected ESET for its proven track record of detecting malicious apps on the Google Play Store over the past few years. By uncovering rare banking trojans, spyware , and ransomware, ESET has helped identify some of the most advanced threats on Android devices. As part of the partnership, ESET’s research teams will be engaged in in-depth analysis of all apps and help proactively protect Google Play Store users.
ESET will inform Google of its findings regarding the apps it detects as malicious, potentially harmful or unwanted, before the apps are uploaded to the Google Play Store.
Approximately 40% of ESET's employees are engaged in research and development, so that ESET users worldwide remain safe from the latest and most advanced cyber threats. With more than 30 years of innovation in cybersecurity, ESET adopts a multi‑layered approach to cyber security, protecting over 110 million users in 200 countries and regions worldwide. ESET regularly publishes its research findings on threats on WeLiveSecurity.
Dave Kleidenmacher, head of Android security and privacy protection at Google said:
For years, Google has been working extensively with members of the cybersecurity community to provide online protection for both businesses and consumers, with today's news being the latest example of this collaboration. Partnering with a distinguished member of the cybersecurity industry, such as ESET, will strengthen the protection of the Google Play ecosystem. We look forward to seeing what our teams can achieve together.
For more information about how ESET helps protect the Google Play Store, visit the App Defense Alliance.
