Google Fights Android Malware with Bouncer

Google is beefing up security in the Android app market with its "Bouncer" software, aiming to fight malware and earn back consumer trust as competition with Apple heats up.

Bouncer scans new apps as developers upload them to the market, sweeping for spyware and verifying the developer's account to prevent malicious applications from ever becoming available to users.

Google's open-source Android market faced several major security breaches last year, resulting in more than $1 million stolen from Android users.

By contrast, the search giant's fiercest competitor, Apple, boasts a secure App Market with the potential to lure wary consumers away from Android to its safer platform.

Repeated claims of malware attacks in the Android market have the potential to damage Google's reputation, but the company is finally fighting back against hackers, saying Bouncer reduced malware attacks by 40 percent in its first few months, a good sign as the company tries to rebuild users' faith in its security.

"While it's not possible to prevent bad people from building malware, the most important measurement is whether those bad applications are being installed from Android Market -- and we know the rate is declining significantly," said Hiroshi Lockheimer, vice president of engineering at Google's Android unit.

Meanwhile, Google is ramping up its mobile platform in recent weeks, awaiting its $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola and overhauling its search and privacy functions for online services. Google is gearing up to protect itself for the head-to-head patent battles expected between the two companies once the Motorola merger is complete, where any dings to its reputation could add fuel to the fire.

"Google is doing the smart thing," said Charlie Miller, a security consultant with Accuvant. "Malware was getting to be a bit of a problem and it's better to take care of it now instead of letting get out of control."

Offering a secure, open-source app market could give the company a significant advantage in its fight with Apple for smartphone dominance, especially as the consumer appetite for apps shows no signs of slowing.