The Google Play Store has received yet another ghost update that introduces some important changes even though none of these changes are apparent. With this new release, the Play Store app version has been bumped up to 7.7.17 from the previous 7.7.09.
The new version also utilizes Android O API. As pointed out by the folks over at The Android Soul, the updated app comes with a long list of app verification checks and warnings. The difference becomes apparent from the time it consumes to install an APK file as compared to the time taken by the previous versions of the Play Store app.
It seems like once you install the update, the new app version will block, as well as alert you of all the known bad behaviors shown by other installed apps like shown in the image below:
<string name="verify_apps_block_backdoor">This app lets hackers control your device, giving them unauthorized access to your data.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_commercial_spyware">This app can be used to spy on you.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_ddos">This app can be used to perform denial of service attacks against other systems and resources.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_generic_malware">This app can damage your device, add hidden charges to your mobile bill, or steal your personal information.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_harmful_distribution">"This app is being installed by another app that's known to be harmful."</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_hostile_downloader">This app can download potentially harmful apps.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_phishing">This app is fake. It can steal your personal data, such as passwords.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_privilege_escalation">This app can permanently damage your device or cost you money.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_ransomware">This app can restrict access to your device until a sum of money is paid.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_rooting_malware">"This app contains code that attempts to bypass Android's security protections."</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_sms_fraud">This app can add charges to your mobile bill by sending costly SMS messages without informing you first.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_spam">This app can be used to flood targeted tablets, PCs, and mobile phones with messages.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_spyware">This app can spy on you by sending your personal data to unauthorized parties.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_block_trojan">This app is fake. It can damage your device and steal your data.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_backdoor">This app lets hackers control your device, giving them unauthorized access to your data.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_call_fraud">This app can add charges to your mobile bill by making costly calls without informing you first.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_commercial_spyware">This app can be used to spy on you.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_data_collection">This app can collect data that may be used to track you.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_ddos">This app can be used to perform denial of service attacks against other systems and resources.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_generic_malware">This app can damage your device, add hidden charges to your mobile bill, or steal your personal information.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_harmful_distribution">"This app is being installed by another app that's known to be harmful."</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_harmful_site">This app comes from a website that distributes potentially harmful apps.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_hostile_downloader">This app can download potentially harmful apps.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_non_android_threat">This app can harm non-Android devices.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_phishing">This app is fake. It can steal your personal data, such as passwords.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_privilege_escalation">This app can permanently damage your device or cost you money.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_ransomware">This app can restrict access to your device until a sum of money is paid.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_rooting">"This app contains code that attempts to bypass Android's security protections."</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_sms_fraud">This app can add charges to your mobile bill by sending costly SMS messages without informing you first.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_spam">This app can be used to flood targeted tablets, PCs, and mobile phones with messages.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_spyware">This app can spy on you by sending your personal data to unauthorized parties.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_toll_fraud">This app can add charges to your mobile bill without asking you first.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_trojan">This app is fake. It can damage your device and steal your data.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_uncommon">This app can harm your device, add unwanted charges to your mobile bill, or expose your personal information.</string>
<string name="verify_apps_warn_windows_malware">This app can harm a device running Windows.</string>Meanwhile, if you install an APK file without an active internet connection on your device, it will be verified as soon as connectivity is restored.
If any app receives an update from any unknown sources, the new Play Store app will instantly notify users. This includes even those apps that updates directly from third-party servers and not Play Store.
Other major change would be the removal of the 2 x 2 Play Store widget that suggested apps and games. Instead, now Play Store will have two separate widgets — “Play – My Library” abd “Play recommendations”.
Google Play Store 7.7.17 (APK Download)
The latest Google Play Store 7.7.17 APK is now available to download on several mirror sites, however, we will suggest you to download it from trusted mirror sites such as apkpolice.com, apkmirror.com, and apkpure.com. The updated Play Store APK file weighs around 18MB and can be downloaded from here.