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by Schlaefer 1984 days ago
> What type of dialog can pop up on your Android screen after unlocking and install "malware"? What is "malware" here? It looks like they mean an app from the play store?

That would be the case if you enable sideloading, but that isn't mentioned in the article. Is it possible to install an app via popup without going through the store? This needs some clarification.
1 comments
jm_l 1984 days ago
They mention at the bottom of the article that they did enable side loading, that's how the app was installed.
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Schlaefer 1984 days ago
If that would be the case what is the point of the article? Of course Google Play Protect shouldn't interfere with an side-loaded app. One major reason for side-loading (after giving explicit consent and ignoring all the warnings associated) is to allow applications Google wouldn't approve.
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david_allison 1984 days ago
Google Play Protect also warned on unknown sideloaded apps (and requested an upload for a scan) when I tried it ~half a year ago. Documentation[0] implies this is still the case

> It checks your device for potentially harmful apps from other sources. These harmful apps are sometimes called malware.

> If you choose to install apps from unknown sources outside of the Google Play Store, turning on the “Improve harmful app detection” setting will allow Google Play Protect to send unknown apps to Google to protect you from harmful apps.

[0] https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2812853?hl=en

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