Naver Pay Enhances Security with 'PayApp Vaccine' to Detect Phishing and Malicious Apps

Naver Pay announced on the 29th that it has enhanced its security features through the 'PayApp Vaccine' service, which allows users to directly check for the installation of malicious apps that cause financial fraud such as phishing on their phones via the Naver Pay application.

Previously, Naver Pay provided a function that automatically checks and notifies users of the safety of the phone's operating system and the presence of malicious apps for phishing and remote control when the app is launched. With this vaccine function enhancement, a manual inspection feature is additionally provided so users can check anytime they want. Without installing a separate vaccine app, users can ensure a safe smartphone environment with just the Naver Pay app.

In cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the security check filters out the latest phishing and smishing techniques accurately based on the latest financial fraud database. The Seoul Police Agency’s Phishing Crime Investigation Team directly collects the latest methods such as smishing messages that cleverly impersonate delivery company texts or mobile wedding invitations, and malicious apps used in voice phishing, building a financial fraud database.

The service inspects whether malicious apps causing various financial frauds such as phishing, smishing, and pharming are installed, and checks the overall security of the phone’s operating system against rooting, jailbreaking, virtual machines, memory tampering, etc., providing guidance classified into three levels: 'Risk', 'Caution', and 'Safe'. Both automatic and manual inspections allow users to immediately identify any installed malicious apps and delete them with a single button.

The PayApp Vaccine feature is available through new installations and updates of the Naver Pay app. Automatic inspection runs every time the Naver Pay app is opened. Manual inspection can be executed immediately by clicking the three-line menu at the top right of the Naver Pay app screen and then the 'Vaccine' button.

A Naver Pay official stated, "Simply running the Naver Pay app or periodically performing a simple inspection can protect my phone from financial fraud and personal information leakage caused by phishing and smishing," adding, "We will continue to take the lead in protecting Naver Pay users from financial fraud through advanced security features and strengthened cooperation with related organizations."