Is Your Android Phone at Risk for a Virus? Here's What to Look for & How to Remove it
If you're a smartphone user, it seems like there is no end to the threats that can invade your device. Viruses, malware, and ransomware are among the most common threats to our devices.
Viruses are computer programs that replicate themselves and spread to other devices without your knowledge or permission. They're typically spread through email attachments, websites, or other sources of media that can store executable files.
Once installed on your device (if you choose to install them), these viruses will attempt to spread themselves by sending copies of themselves to contacts in your address book or by sending text messages. These types of viruses are known as "mobile" or "Android" viruses because they have the ability to target the specific operating system for which they're designed.
How Do Viruses Infect Your Phone?
Viruses are often spread through text messages, apps, and emails containing malicious links or attachments, like an email with a link that promises an exciting video but instead installs malware onto your phone when clicked on. Viruses can also be installed manually by downloading an infected app from an unofficial source.
What to Look for When Checking for a Virus?
If you suspect your device has been infected, there are several things you can do to check for viruses:
Check your Battery Usage
If any app is using more battery power than it should be, it could be a sign that something is wrong with it. Check the settings menu on your phone and look for any apps that have been consuming a large percentage of your battery life. You may want to uninstall any suspicious apps from your device as well.
Check for Unusual Behavior
If you notice strange errors or pop-ups appearing on your screen, this could indicate that something is going wrong with your software. It might also just be a bug in the operating system of your device, but if you notice repeated messages or pop-ups, then you may have a virus on your hands!
Check for Malware Symptoms
If your phone starts acting oddly, this could be a sign that you’re infected with a virus. Some of the more common symptoms include apps randomly opening and closing on their own, apps not working properly, and even your phone getting hot.
Check for Uncharacteristic Behavior
If your phone is running slow or freezing up, it could be another sign that you have a virus. You should also look out for any unusual notifications that you didn’t ask for or approve, such as new text messages from unknown numbers or emails from unfamiliar sources.
How to Remove Malware and Viruses from an Android Device?
If you suspect that you have malware on your phone, you must act quickly to prevent further damage. Here are some actions you can take.
1. Shut down the phone and restart it in safe mode. Power Off options can be accessed by pressing the power button. Most Android phones include the ability to restart in Safe Mode. According to Google, Safe Mode may differ depending on the phone: Turn on your phone by pressing the power button. Hold the volume down button while the animation begins. Hold it down until the animation stops and your phone reboots. At the bottom of your screen, you'll see "Safe mode."
2. Remove the suspicious app. In Settings, locate the app and uninstall or force close it. This may not completely remove the malware, but it may prevent further damage to your device or the malware from spreading to other devices on your network.
3. Look for other infected apps. There's a chance that some apps were infected with malware. If you believe you can identify those apps, delete them right away.
4. Install a reliable mobile security app on your device.
Conclusion
So, if you're in the market for a new Android phone, keep your eyes open for the telltale signs of spyware. If you see such symptoms, contact the seller immediately to question their practices and get a refund if necessary. But most importantly, do some research on which types of malware you should watch out for on Android phones. After all, it's in your best interests to avoid getting taken advantage of by these sleazy scammers—and with a little vigilance on your end, there's no reason why you need to be a victim.
