Android Users Can Rely on Free VPN Apps with Confidence: Here’s Why

Free VPN or virtual private network apps are always in demand and mostly by those using Android smartphones. But these so-called “free” apps have been the subject of concern, particularly regarding their security standards and how safe it is to use them when browsing websites that may be banned in your area.

Google wants to simplify the trust factor of these apps for Android users, for whom it now gives a special identifier for VPN apps and others. So the next time you’re looking for VPN apps on the Google Play Store, look for an independent security check mark next to the app, which more or less proves its credibility as a VPN app on the Play Store.

But what exactly does this badge mean and how do these apps get it? This is an interesting part of the whole process and users would definitely like to know the standards of this benchmark. To get this badge, app developers can validate their apps if they meet global security standards.

Getting this seal isn’t easy, but it means that the developer gets their app verified by third-party independent reviewers who check that the app meets industry standards for mobile security, which in the case of VPN apps means they’re checked for potential security holes. or potential problems.

Google will bring these checks and ID to other app segments as well, but understandably Google starts this process with VPN apps, which are one of the most downloaded sections of the Play Store. In fact, some of the popular apps like NordVPN, ExpressVPN and eight others like it have already received the security check mark. We independently verified NordVPN’s security badge in the Play Store, which is listed below the app’s security section.

How apps can get a security mark in the Play Store

Google has authorized laboratories for this process. The list of laboratories is:

– Now protected

— Bishopfox

– Leviathan

– Proactive

– NCC group

– Dekra

Google says that any developer who wants to get a security badge for their Android app can contact one of these labs for tests that take about 2-3 weeks. The test’s financial data and other data are provided by the laboratories. Testing is done on the public version of the app that people can download. These labs then notify the developer if any problems are found and help them fix them. Once these are processed, the lab sends a verification report to Google confirming that the app is certified to receive a security badge.

Google is quick to note that getting this security mark doesn’t mean that apps are completely free of vulnerabilities, but hopes that developers will be honest with their users about its security standards.