Google to scan app store for malware?

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. search giant Google will integrate a malware scanner in the Google Play application store to keep malicious apps from reaching users, a tech website says.

Android Police reports there are two parts to the scanner: an "App Check" that inspects all of a device's applications already installed to determine whether any existing apps may harm the device, and a so-called "doorman-style app blocker" that warns a user if an app about to be downloaded is possible malicious or has been tagged as suspicious.

Google is apparently reacting to a number of rogue apps showing up in the Android application store in recent weeks and months, ZDNet reported.

The malware scanner may be based on a free online scanning utility developed by VirusTotal, which Google acquired last month, ZDNet said.