Google tipped to add OS Safety Alert in time for Android M launch

Google added a new page to its Nexus Security support which lists a new feature called "warning about operating system safety." This feature will check the Android device while booting to ensure that the OS is safe enough. The feature will likely be part of Android M though it remains unconfirmed.

If the rumors come true then the Android software will be checked every time the device boots indicating possible risks through safety warnings. According to the Nexus support page, “When you turn on an Android device, the operating system is checked to make sure that it's safe to use.” The process would ensure that the code running on the said device comes from a trusted source and has not been corrupted.

The system will show three types of warning messages to the user, reports NDTV Gadgets .

• “Your device has loaded a different operating system” - says the first warning message with the Yellow exclamation. This message will notify the user that the device is currently running a different OS than the one that came preloaded on the device.

• “Your device software can’t be checked for corruption. Please lock the bootloader.” The second warning will appear with Orange exclamation. This message informs the user that the device is in an “unlocked” state and thus, the OS cannot be checked to ensure that it is safe to use.

• “Your device is corrupt. It can’t be trusted and may not work properly.” The third and final warning message with Red exclamation will notifies the user that the operating system on the device has been corrupted and thus, is not safe to use.

Earlier this month, Google released the Android M Developer Preview 2 for Nexus devices and based on user feedbacks fixes and updates were executed on the targeted devices. It is likely that Google will add the boot warnings in any one of the Nexus devices in upcoming Android M update.

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