How to protect yourself from malicious Android apps (2026)
Saving money on protect yourself from malicious does not have to be complicated. We rounded up the essentials so you can spend less and skip the guesswork.
Key Takeaways
- Advertisement More than a million Google accounts have recently been hacked by malware.
- This malicious software is known as ‘Gooligan’ and steals data from Google Play, Gmail, Google Photos and other programs. Gooligan is...
- How to protect yourself Only download apps from the official Google Play store The malicious Gooligan software can end up on your devi...
More than a million Google accounts have recently been hacked by malware. This malicious software is known as ‘Gooligan’ and steals data from Google Play, Gmail, Google Photos and other programs.
Gooligan is attacking 13,000 new accounts every day
According to Forbes, this malware is ‘responsible for what’s believed to be the biggest single theft of Google accounts on record,’ so you’ll need to be extra careful using your device, especially if you have an older operating system.
Read more about the recent Gmail hack.
How to protect yourself
Only download apps from the official Google Play store
The malicious Gooligan software can end up on your device if you download an app from somewhere other than the Google Play store. Downloading apps from these third party app stores may seem temping since they sometimes offer free versions of paid apps. However, security on these sites isn’t always verified making it easier for apps to become infected with malware like Gooligan.
Lookout security app
Lookout is an antivirus and security app made specifically for Android devices. Lookout comes in a free or premium version. The free subscription gives you features like anti-malware protection, backup of contacts, remote Locate, and a remotely triggered Scream alarm. It will even check any app before you download so you know for sure that it’s safe.
See more free anti-virus options to protect all of your devices.
AdvertisementFinal Thoughts
The bottom line: a little research on protect yourself from malicious goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away.
Originally published at clark.com.
SnaggyCodes Editorial Team
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