Malware is a persistent threat to Android. Viruses and other malware, in addition to affecting the performance of the Android phone or tablet, can harm you by stealing your personal information, or even your bank details. Here are the best techniques that allow you to remove viruses and get rid of malware
Are Android devices vulnerable to viruses?
Android smartphones are better immunized against computer viruses, but they are very vulnerable and sensitive to different types of malware. A virus hijacks the device's resources by entering its operating system to reproduce and proliferate. On the other hand, the malware that attacks your Android smartphone for the most part will not act in this way.
Generally, Android malware is hidden as malicious applications to be distributed. These applications are generally able to steal your data, and your identifiers, scan, and spy on your activities better still damage the device. Viruses are a different type of malware that does not affect Android devices in general. For any type of malware targeting the operating system, the term "virus" is used, hence the name "Android virus" for the designation of malware affecting this operating system.
Android vs. iPhone Infections
Against viruses and other malware, Android devices and iPhone devices show very different and distinct vulnerabilities. While iOS software has long been considered immune to viruses, recent cyber attacks have demonstrated that even iPhones are susceptible to cyber threats.
Android devices, which represent around 90% of the global smartphone market share, contract more infections than those using iOS since Android is an open-source program, and there are multiple portals for downloading applications, other than the Google Store some of which are not secure.
On the other hand, iOS devices essentially download their applications from a single secure portal, the official Apple App Store. This portal uses very strong and best security measures. Similarly, applications on smartphones and tablets under iOS are executed in the Sandbox, which limits their interaction with iOS itself or with other applications.
Different types of viruses that can affect a smartphone
There are different forms of Android viruses. Each has its own specificities and entry points. The most common types of Android malware are:
Spyware
This malware is hidden by cybercriminals in Android applications. Glean information from your phone discreetly to send to hackers. The spyware once installed, records the information of the URLs and SMS browsed as well as the username and password.
Ransomware
Better known as a "ransom" which means ransom, prevents access to your data or the device. Cybercriminals demand a ransom to give you back the use of your smartphone and thus recover your files. Never pay a cybercriminal. it is necessary to remove the virus from the Android device, and then restore it from a previous version saved
Worm
The most aggressive Android malware. It was designed to spread infinitely by replicating, it can act without the intervention of the user. They are generally distributed via SMS and MMS.
Trojans
"Trojans" Are hidden in downloadable applications even from different platforms, which affect your phone once installed. After their user activation, Trojans can log your data, lock your phone, install other malware or disable other applications.
Origin of Android malware
Infected popular apps.
Hackers often repackage popular apps with malware, distributing these infected versions through various app stores or as APKs. This technique is very effective and cybercriminals do not try to create new innovative applications specifically to trick users into installing them. The user who thought to install an interesting application actually installed an Android virus.
Malvertising
"Malicious advertising", this technique consists of inserting and hiding malicious software in advertisements, often in the form of pop-ups. By clicking on it the user triggers the download of the virus to the device.
Online scams
This technique consists of phishing attacks or other similar methods, generally distributed by e-mail or SMS. The user receives a link but clicking on it activates the download of malware on the device.
Direct Downloads
This technique involves linking the target device to another controlled by a hacker to manually install the malware. To avoid this, never connect your phone to an unreliable third-party computer and never connect unknown accessories to your device.
How do you know if your smartphone is infected with malware?
The presence of malware on an Android smartphone is not always easy to identify. To reassure you, it is necessary to carry out an analysis with the mobile security app, or by using the safe mode to check the downloaded applications. However, if your device shows some of the following symptoms then it is very likely that it is affected by a virus.
- Apps that block: If some apps crash more frequently than usual, it may be due to the presence of an Android virus.
- Unexplained increase in mobile data usage: It is you who notice abnormal data consumption, especially if no inopportune use of the telephone has been recorded, then it is very likely that the latter has been affected by a virus. It is known that some malware consumes data when it comes into action, We advise you to check the status of your mobile data regularly.
- Ads that constantly appear: In the event that pop-ups appear even when no application is running, it is highly likely that adware-type adware is present.
- The battery drains quickly: Since malware is not optimized, it drains the battery very quickly unlike legitimate apps.
- The phone bill is astronomical: If you receive an unusually high bill or see a jump in mobile data usage, the presence and action of malware on your smartphone is more than likely.
- Unknown apps: If you notice that your device is showing unusual signs especially after downloading a third-party application not made by a legitimate developer, it may be because the latter contains a three-horse type malware or other and that we downloading it to the phone has opened the door to a fraudulent application.
- Your phone is overheating: There are many causes of the phone overheating, but the presence of malware is one of the main causes, especially if it remains constantly hot despite not being used.
Remove Virus from Android Phone
Different methods can be used for virus removal from Android phones.
Method 1: Remove Malware Manually
Step 1: Enter Safe Mode on your phone.
Restarting the phone in safe mode will prevent the execution of all third-party applications, malware, and malware. Some recent Android phones allow it to restart in safe mode, but others require a few additional steps. On virtually all android devices, you can run safe mode by simply holding down the phone's power button.
Press for a few seconds on the Power off option.
Then restart in safe mode by pressing OK.
Check if the problem persists once your device is in safe mode. If disappeared, then it might have been caused by a third-party app that contains malware.
Step 2: View downloaded apps
Once the device is in safe mode, go to Settings then Applications. Look in the preferred apps for the one installed just before your device started behaving strangely. It is necessary to look for applications that seem suspicious to you, an application that you do not recognize, or that you have not installed yourself.
Step 3: Uninstall recently downloaded apps
Once the potentially problematic application has been identified, delete it permanently by pressing Uninstall. If it was not the right application, you can always reinstall it later. some applications disable the uninstall button so you have to remove their administrator rights and uninstall them afterward.
Step 4: Prevent malicious apps from becoming administrators of your devices.
Go to security settings and check the list of apps for the one with device administrator permissions. Depending on the version of Android, the procedure is as follows, but it may vary from one manufacturer to another: Go to Settings, then Security, then Device Administrators.
Check here if the targeted application is in this list, and if it is the box on the right is checked. Uncheck this box and then remove its privileges by disabling this device administrator. The Uninstall button should now be active go back to downloaded apps and remove the app.
Do not forget to delete the download file in the downloaded folders in case this application was installed as an APK.
Restart the phone in normal operating mode, if the anomalies are gone then you have removed the virus from your Android device. If not, repeat the operation, uninstalling another application. In the event that the same problems persist, consider a complete reset to restore the factory settings.
But you have to keep in mind, that a complete reset will delete all applications and their data from your phone, hence the need for periodic data backups.
Method 2: remove the virus automatically
Install a free application from the play store that will analyze your device and identify the presence of viruses. If your device is infected, a message will prompt you to remove the virus.
Step 1: Run a virus scan of your Android device
Most mobile antiviruses are very easy to use. Hit the “analyze” button and the app starts doing the work.
Once the analysis is complete, follow the recommendations of the application to eliminate the detected viruses.
Among the most reliable antivirus apps for Android are:
- Bitdefender Mobile Security: Bitdefender Mobile Security is one of the best antiviruses for Android, in addition, this antivirus not only ensures flawless defense of your smartphone against threats but also makes it faster. But the most important thing is that he respects your privacy. Bitdefender is able to perform full scans of the phone's operating system, looking for potential viruses. Its complete database allows it to identify and neutralize all potential threats.
- Avast: One of the best antivirus for Android-phone, Avast has a big advantage over these conquerors because of its free plan, which contrasts seriously with the sometimes too expensive offers of its competition. But, what can you get without spending a penny? That's what we're going to see. Note that the Avast Android app has been installed more than a hundred million times to date, with a rating of 4.7/5 on the Google Play Store. This is a record in the field. This platform is getting very positive reviews. Avast Mobile Security detects 100% of threats and eliminates them.
- Kaspersky: Kaspersky for Android no longer has to present these capabilities recognized worldwide. It is top-rated by AV Comparative. AV-Test awarded it “the highest score for Android security“. It is the best Android antivirus because it can detect spyware, such as the Pegasus app. And automatically warns you if a malicious Internet user wishes to install malicious software to spy on you. Also, it can fight against spam. it connects to your mailbox to identify all unwanted emails. While leaving you the latitude to unsubscribe or ban the sender from your inbox.
- AVG: Over one hundred million downloads on Android mobile. the most popular AVG AntiVirus & Security app with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Once installed, you'll enjoy one of the best Android antiviruses. It is also published in several languages. This application in association with Google Map allows you to geolocate your Android phone. AVG antivirus saves your sensitive photos in a virtual safe. AVG on Android will alert you if your credentials have been stolen. Finally, the mobile version of AVG for Android allows you to delete unnecessary files, thus saving storage memory.
- McAfee: The mobile Android version of McAfee Security has been downloaded over fifty million times. Certainly, it is less than the Android antiviruses mentioned above, but all the same, it is a good performance. Its review rating on the Google Play Store is 4.4/5. McAfee Security's firewall blocks 98% of all online viruses making it one of the best Android antiviruses for network protection.
- 360 SECURITY: It is a versatile antivirus on Android. It offers everything and offers other features despite its small size. It allows you to delete unnecessary applications and thus boost the ram of the device, It allows you to manage the battery saving with its function and it monitors the most used applications.
- AVIRA SECURITY ANTIVIRUS & VPN: Effectiveness and formidable speed are also effective on PC, also it is one of the antiviruses which consumes the least resource on Android. Its simplified interface is not that the mobile version of the antivirus is regal and which goes to the essential, namely the detection and elimination of viruses. In addition, Avira offers anti-theft to locate your stolen Android device, and you can even lock it remotely and delete the data on it. This application also offers a free VPN to surf the Internet anonymously.
If the two previous methods mentioned above did not solve the problem, you can as a radical method reset your Android phone to its factory settings in order to get rid of the malware.
Step 1: Perform a factory data restore
To do this, go to Settings, then Backup & reset, then Factory reset. Tap Reset device.
Step 2: enter your access code
Enter your access code when prompted and tap Delete all.
Step 3: Restart the device
Your phone will restart after the factory reset is complete. It will guide you through its initial setup procedures.
Step 4: Restore an earlier backup.
If you wish, you can restore a previous backup of your Android device, prior to the installation of the malware.