You know that beloved VPN app of yours? The one you rely on to secure your internet traffic and keep your data private? It could be a fake.
VPN usage is on the rise across the world as users tune into all the potential benefits, like bypassing region locks on streaming content and avoiding price differences based on your location. But with increased popularity comes greater opportunity for exploitation…
As it turns out, fake VPN apps are also on the rise. These fake apps masquerade as real, except they do all kinds of shady stuff — like eavesdrop on your web traffic, steal personal data, and even infect your devices with malware that can let hackers take control.
To help fight this, Google recently introduced a new verification feature on the Play Store that helps you spot secure VPN apps at a glance.
The verified symbol you need to look for
In the Google Play Store, you’ll now see a new “verified” badge on legit VPN apps. This badge looks like a shield icon with a checkmark inside, and you’ll find it on legit VPN apps next to their ratings and download counts, as Google explains in a blog post.
Verification is based on an independent security check by the App Defense Alliance, which Google has offered for some time. But up until now, users have had to dig into data security details to see whether a VPN app “passed the test” for legitimacy and security. This Verified badge makes it easier to recognize the secure ones at a glance.
Note that a Verified badge doesn’t just signify that an app is what it claims to be. It goes a step further and shows that the app takes security seriously, that it doesn’t just meet the bare minimum requirements but goes above and beyond what’s necessary.
Which VPN apps are verified?
Google cites NordVPN, Aloha Browser, and hide.me as examples of good VPN services worthy of the Verified badge. Others are still coming along, and we expect to see all of our picks for the best Android VPNs to earn their Verified badges in time.
That said, as of this writing, the new Verified badges don’t seem to be appearing in the Play Store yet — not even for Google’s highlighted example apps. We expect it to roll out in the coming days with an upcoming update, at which point you should double-check that your preferred VPN app is verified. If not, consider switching.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.