Over 200 malicious apps were downloaded more than 40 million times from the Google Play Store this year

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Yet another reminder to always be careful when downloading new apps

Malware on phone
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You can never be too safe when installing a new app on one of the best Android phones as hackers and other cybercriminals continue to use malicious apps in their attacks.

According to a new report from the cloud security company ZScaler, there were more than 40 million downloads of malicious apps on the Google Play Store between June 2024 and May 2025. Though the majority of these apps are no longer available through the app store, the company found 239 applications that it was able to identify as malicious, up from 200 the previous year.

How to stay safe from malicious downloads

A hand holding a phone securely logging in

(Image credit: Google)

In order to avoid malicious downloads, you should only get new apps from reputable publishers or app stores, always apply security updates, avoid downloading non-essential apps and reject and disable accessibility permissions. Likewise, you always want to keep your operating system up-to-date and enable Google Play Protect as well.

From there, limit app permissions to only what is necessary and watch for any unusual behaviors after your install apps that you're not sure about. Signs that your device may have become compromised include unusual battery drain, unexplained data usage, or persistent background activity you cannot explain.

Your device should also be protected by one of the best Android antivirus apps, which will help you detect malware with real-time scans. These programs also offer additional features, like VPNs and scam alerts, that can help protect your privacy and keep you safe online.

Just because a group of malicious apps came out a long time ago doesn't mean they aren't still doing damage in the real world. This is why I always recommend limiting the number of apps you have installed overall. That way, if one is malicious or it goes bad over time, it will be a lot easier to find.

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Amber Bouman
Amber Bouman
Senior Editor Security

Amber Bouman is the senior security editor at Tom's Guide where she writes about antivirus software, home security, identity theft and more. She has long had an interest in personal security, both online and off, and also has an appreciation for martial arts and edged weapons. With over two decades of experience working in tech journalism, Amber has written for a number of publications including PC World, Maximum PC, Tech Hive, and Engadget covering everything from smartphones to smart breast pumps. 

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