Not much is known about Google's rumored Android Key Lime Pie as of now with much of the headlines being made by the recently unveiled Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.
One major area that Android users and fans are concerned is the attention to security. Now, per reports, the Android 4.2 will feature improved security systems and an advanced malware scanner to assist users and rid any problems related to security.
It is being said that the Android 4.2 release includes a malware scanner that immediately analyzes "sideloaded" apps, that is the ones installed from sources other than Google's own store, for potential threats. The key component here, according to Computer World, "is a real-time app scanning service that instantly checks apps put on your device for any malicious or potentially harmful code."
Interestingly, enabling the added security from settings actually adds a new step to the installation process. What happens here is that Google tests a given app and compares it to a wide list of "known applications" that combines Play's catalog with popular apps that may not be available in the store. While most installations will proceed as normal, but in the unusual event that Google detects a problem, it will prevent things from proceeding any further.
"We view security as a universal thing," Android VP of Engineering Hiroshi Lockheimer told Computerworld. "Assuming the user wants this additional insurance policy, we felt like we shouldn't exclude one source over another."
The report also states that everything related to the new security system happens flawlessly and almost instantaneously behind the scenes. As mentioned earlier, whenever the user sideloads an app, the phone sends identifying information about the program to Google's servers. The servers then analyze the info and compare it with the company's database of known applications.
"We have a catalog of 700,000 applications in the Play Store, and beyond that, we're always scanning stuff on the Web in terms of APKs that are appearing," Lockheimer added. "We have a pretty good understanding of the app ecosystem now, whether something's in the Play Store or not."
Additionally, Google has also brought in minor enhancements to the permissions screen that pops up before users download any app. New icons, alongside subheads like "privacy" and "device access" is expected to make the access to menu easier than it currently is.
