Fortnite’s battle royale with Android security problems is just getting started

A storm of security issues is closing in on the Android version of Fortnite. And it isn’t likely to pass anytime soon.

Developer Epic Games just fixed a security flaw with Fortnite’s installer for Android devices, but researchers are expecting a flurry of problems for the online game as it gets more popular on Android.

That’s because Fortnite isn’t available through Google’s Play Store. Epic instead chose an unorthodox — and more dangerous — route for the game’s fans. Rather than download it through the official Google app store, players need to download the game and “sideload” the app on their Android devices instead.

That Epic is allowed to do this underscores why Google’s Android often gets knocked for its security chops. While Apple locks down its iPhone so you can only download apps through its App Store, Android lets you download programs in multiple ways. But that freedom comes at a risk: Apps outside of the Play Store are nine times more likely to be malware, according to Google.

With Fortnite’s influence over more than 125 million players, teaching people to download apps outside of the official store is exposing millions of people to a risky practice, researchers warned. Even if Epic means no harm, other apps may have more nefarious intentions.

“The problem with Fortnite is that it’s so attractive, and people are going to think sideloading is completely normal,” said Craig Williams, a security researcher and outreach director for Ciscos’ Talos Intelligence Group. “They’ve made themselves an attractive target.” 

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