Your Android smartphone may soon be able to scan apps for phishing

It’s only recently that Android devices have started receiving the Android 14 update. While the latest mobile OS brings in a host of new features, there seems to be another interesting one in the pipeline. Google has in fact already started testing a new anti-phishing feature on its privacy-focused Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 release. This upcoming feature Overall, this upcoming update seems to focus a lot on data privacy, with a rather nifty new anti-phishing feature.

What are phishing attacks?

Phishing attacks are a type of cyberattack through which perpetrators attempt to steal information from people, whether in the form of usernames and passwords, bank account information, or other data.

The modus operandi for these attacks, is that they trick people into revealing the same themselves, in the form of emails, messages, or even apps posing to be from credible, reliable sources. Therefore, even the most tech-savvy people may sometimes fall victim to these attacks.

How will the anti-phishing feature on Android 14 work?

Coming to the anti-phishing feature built into the Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 release. As per Android Police, under the “More security and privacy” sub-menu in the “Security and privacy” menu, there is an option that says, “Scanning for deceptive apps.”

Tapping on it leads you to a page that says, “Scanning runs privately on your device, checking app activity for phishing and other deceptive behaviour.” It also adds that if any such activity is detected, the app’s info will be sent to Google Play Protect, to confirm the threat and warn users of the same.

Now, exactly how this works in real time remains unknown as of now, since Google hasn’t actually officially announced this feature Moreover, since the feature is still in the testing phase, just how effective it is also remains to be seen.

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The Android QPR2 Beta 2 is currently only available for Google’s Pixel devices. Other Android smartphone users will have to wait a while, before they get their hands on it, and can try out the anti-phishing feature, as well as a host of other privacy-related features.