It may seem a little far-fetched that malware can make its way onto our phones and tablets. After all, viruses are something that computer owners have to worry about. There’s no way that something like Android malware exists, right?
Unfortunately, while there may have been a time where installing antivirus on a phone would have raised eyebrows, things aren’t as simple anymore. Malware developers are always looking for the most prolific technology out there to ensure their attacks hit as many people as possible. Back when smartphones were relatively new, you probably wouldn’t have worried so much about viruses. Now that smartphones have made their way into everyone’s lives, virus developers have stepped up their own game and began to target them.
The following will explain how you will know when your device is infected with something bad.
1. Performance Begins to Drop
If the malware tries to perform somewhat intensive tasks on your phone, you may find that your device begins to slow down as it takes up processing power to do its job. This results in slower loading, apps hanging, and long boot times. It may also cause interruptions and other weird occurrences while making a phone call.
If you have this issue on your phone, first make sure that it’s not being clogged up by apps and widgets you’ve installed. This specific problem can be easily fixed by removing or disabling resource hogs on your device. You can check for resource hogs by going to your Android settings, then Apps.
Here, swipe left on the “Downloaded” page.
Then, check the RAM usage on the “Running” page, as well as how much RAM each individual app is using.
If a specific app is taking up your resources, it should show up on this screen. If you don’t have anything big running or if you manage to eliminate the big resource hogs and your phone still gives you trouble, it’s worth investigating the possibility of Android malware.
2. The Battery Drains Faster Than Before
As we covered above, malware sometimes needs to perform a system-intensive task to do its job. This slows down the system, but it also has a secondary effect: all that processing power has to be fuelled by the battery. This results in your device keeping its charge much less than beforehand and requiring more charges across the week than before.
Again, there are multiple reasons for a fast-draining battery, such as an intensive app you’ve deliberately installed or your battery getting old. To check if an app is draining your battery, go to the Android settings, then Battery.
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The screen that pops up will show you the biggest energy drainers on your system.
If you can’t see any big offenders, and you’re sure the battery is still healthy, it might be a case of malware.
3. Unexplained Data Usage and Phone Bill Spikes
Often, Android malware isn’t there to just annoy and harass you. Sometimes it’s installed so it can perform a specific job its developer wants to perform. This may include communicating to an online server which will involve using your 4G connection. It may also include subscribing to and sending messages via premium SMS services which charge quite a lot per message and makes money off of unsuspecting victims.
Both of these can be detected after the damage has been done. (ideally, however, you’d want to catch it beforehand!) Keep an eye on your phone bill and data usage, and make note when you see a sudden and unexpected increase in usage. If you spot one, and you can’t explain why it’s there, make sure to check for malware right away.
4. Sudden Adverts
You may also notice an increase in advertisements shown to you while using your device. Everyone knows of the free apps that sometimes show an ad or two to help cover company costs, and seeing one of these in a free game or app shouldn’t set off any alarm bells. However, if you see them beginning to creep into your notification bar, or even dominating the entire screen while no apps are loaded, there’s a good chance there’s malware on your system causing them or at least a very poorly-behaving app.
5. Unexplained Apps
Do you have apps on your system that you could have sworn you never installed? Or perhaps you’re getting weird messages in your notification bar from apps you’ve never heard of? Android malware sometimes acts by slipping apps onto your system without you agreeing to it. The result is an influx of apps popping up that you don’t remember installing. This takes up a lot of space and resources for apps you actually want to use.
Help! I Think I’m Infected!
So now you know the possible symptoms of a virus on an Android phone. So, how do you get rid of one? Or, even better, how do you prevent yourself from getting one in the first place? And what about viruses that have unnoticeable or no symptoms whatsoever?
The first thing to do is not to panic and install the first antivirus you see. Installing and running an inefficient antivirus can sometimes do as much, if not more, damage than an actual virus! If you want to protect your device and save it from damage, you’ll want to make sure you get the right antivirus for the job.
The first thing to do is ask yourself if there’s a PC antivirus that you’ve always trusted and liked. If this is the case, there’s a strong chance that the company has developed an antivirus for mobile devices as well. Check with your favourite antivirus developer to see if they have a mobile version of their antivirus. If they do, install and run it to check for any potential malware.
If you don’t have a favoured antivirus solution, or your favourite antivirus company has a lackluster (or no) antivirus solution for mobile devices, you can always check our guide to the top mobile antivirus solutions and download the one that catches your eye the most.
Keeping Aware of Malware
With mobile devices becoming widespread, so, too, has the potential for malware to do damage. Now you know the symptoms of an infected device and how to fix it. Even better, you now know how to prevent your device from being infected in the first place.
Do you have any stories of a particularly nasty Android malware attack? Tell us about them in the comments below. Let us know what it did and what you used to solve the problem!
The adoption rate of mobile devices continues to soar, with Android leading the way. The open-source operating system that is led by Google is now found on more than half of all smartphones. In fact, research firm Strategy Analytics found that 81.3 percent, or 204.4 million, of smartphones shipped in the third quarter of 2013 were powered by Android.
This massive user base has caught the attention of cybercriminals, who have begun to double down on their efforts to illegally obtain personal information from Android owners. While most mobile malware is found in countries like Russia and China, users from Europe and the United States aren't completely immune.
Bogdan Botezatu, a senior e-threat analyst for security firm BitDefender, explained in an interview with CNET that malware is more accessible than ever before because 'no coding is required to bind Android apps with malicious programs.'
The analyst went on to say that 'people look at phones more like phones, rather than intelligent computers,' adding that most people don't understand that these devices are susceptible to malware similar to the strands found on PCs.
The most common malware regardless of platform is related to short message fraud and personal life invasion. Botezatu noted that 'one of most important things that can happen with Android is privacy invasion.' Mobile malware can allow cybercriminals to intercept messages, monitor calls, steal personal information, and even listen in with the device's microphone.
Perhaps even more troubling is that cybercriminals are now coming up with more complex ways to attack mobile devices, most of which are not protected. Botezatu pointed me to an alarming statistic from research firm IDC, which revealed that only 5 percent of smartphones and tablets have some sort of antivirus program installed.
While antivirus apps can help secure your device, there are other steps that can be taken to better protect yourself from encountering mobile malware.
Now playing:Watch this: Keep your Android device safe from malware
Legitimate app stores
When downloading apps it's imperative that you only do so from a legitimate app store; that means from companies like Google, Amazon, Samsung, or another major manufacturer or carrier.
These marketplaces are monitored and scanned for potentially dangerous or fraudulent programs. On occasion, however, malicious apps sometimes slip through the cracks, often disguised as legitimate ones.
Why Are Viruses Not Alive
A fake BBM app recently appeared in the Google Play store and managed to secure more than 100,000 downloads before being removed. The app itself was nothing more than a spamming service.
Suspicious apps
The fake BBM app is a great example. While anyone who actually read the reviews wouldn't have downloaded it, thousands of users did. One of the best defenses against malware is to notice things like suspicious apps with outrageous promises, bad reviews, and sketchy app permissions.
Pirated apps
I'm not here to lecture you on the ethics of pirating programs (it's illegal), but I am here to warn you about the dangerous that can come from it. Dell emc unity solutions specialist practice test e20-393 exam date. As Botezatu said, taking a legitimate Android application package (APK) file and binding it with a malicious program is a relatively simple process.
Most pirated or cracked apps usually contain some form of malware. You could spend a couple of bucks on that game you always wanted, which in the long run will give you hours of entertainment and reward the developer for their hard work, or you can pirate it and put your personal information at risk. The decision shouldn't be hard.
For those of you interested in sideloading apps, make sure to only do so with apps downloaded from a trusted developer's Web site.
Settings
Google includes numerous settings in the Android operating system that can prevent malicious attacks. Devices running Android 2.2 or higher, which essentially means nearly all Android devices, have access to Google's malware scanner. Prior to installing an application you downloaded outside of the Play store, Google will scan the app and warn you of any potential threats.
This feature is enabled by default and can be accessed in the Google Settings app in your device's app drawer. Alternatively, devices running Android 4.2 or higher can access the feature by going to Settings, clicking on Security, and scrolling down to Verify apps.
Devices running Android 4.2 or higher are also protected from premium SMS charges. A notification will alert you if an app is attempting to send a text message using a premium service, at which point you can approve or deny the transaction. This feature is built directly into the operating system and does not need to be enabled.
Software updates
While this may not be an option for most users, if there is an update for your device make sure you download and install it. Manufacturers, carriers, and Google are constantly pushing out updates with bug fixes, enhancements, and new features that can make your device more secure.
To check for an update on stock Android go to Settings, click on the 'About phone' or 'About tablet' option, and select System Updates.
Antivirus apps
The Google Play store is also home to hundreds of antivirus apps that can offer an extra layer of protection. Finding the right one, however, can sometimes be difficult. A simple 'antivirus' search in the store yields more than 250 results. So which one should you choose?
Companies like Avast, AVG, BitDefender, Kaspersky, Sophos, Symantec (Norton), and TrendMicro have long and established histories as some of the most trusted brands in the industry.
Newcomers Lookout and TrustGo have also made a name for themselves as some of the top mobile security providers. Earlier this year, AV-Test, an independent IT security institute that ranks antivirus apps based on protection and usability, rated TrustGo and Lookout as the top two antivirus programs on the Android platform.
Each security provider I mentioned above scored higher than average for protection against malware, with most detecting malicious apps more than 99 percent of the time. Any of these programs would be a safe and smart option for your smartphone or tablet.
Many of these companies also offer additional features for a small monthly fee. These include things like anti-theft protection, safer Web browsing, device tracking, remote wiping, and more. It should be noted, however, that Google's Android Device Manager offers similar functionality for locating a lost or stolen device. The tool can be accessed online or through a free app on the Play store.
As for antivirus programs, whether you opt for the basic or premium features, Botezatu noted that, at least concerning BitDefender, the basic malware protection is the same.
'We are trying to make security available to all users with no distinction,' he said, adding that the premium features are just an extra layer of protection.
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Android is the most widely-used operating system in the world, and that means having the best security apps and antivirus tools for Android installed on your device is essential, as Google's OS is often targeted by malware due to its popularity.
Whatever software you use with your Android phone or tablet, you’d be wise to have an antivirus or a security app installed on your device. In this article, we’re going to highlight 10 of the best antivirus tools for Android in 2019 - most of which are completely free apps to download.
Many of them do much more than run automatic scans, and they’ll actively try to prevent malicious web pages and files from being opened or downloaded in the first place.
1. Avast Mobile Security
Gives you handy extras like a firewall and remote wipe
Avast Mobile Security
Call blocking
Ad supported
Antivirus giant, Avast, has used its considerable skills to create an app which goes above and beyond a mundane scanner. Extra features in the free version include a call blocker, firewall and even an anti-theft measure allowing you to remotely lock or wipe your Android device if it goes missing.
The app used to be paid but is now free, supported by ads. You can pay a small monthly or yearly premium to remove these. Another very useful premium feature is ‘in-app locking’ whereby your device will ask for a PIN before opening certain apps. This prevents malware from launching apps such as internet banking automatically.
2. Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Minimal impact on your OS
You must schedule virus scans
Bitdefender is a big name in the security community, and its free antivirus program is extremely lightweight. In fact, it doesn’t run in the background which frees up system resources and saves on battery life.
This does mean you have to schedule scans or run them manually to be safe. This said, any new apps downloaded to your device are automatically scanned. Another advantage of this app is that it’s ready to go as soon as it is installed – no additional configuration is required.
Just be sure that If you require extra security, sign up for a free 14-day trial of Bitdefender Mobile Security. This includes the basic antivirus as well as real-time protection for Google's Chrome browser and anti-theft features.
There's also a nifty Privacy advisor tool and adds a layer of security to your smartwatch via its WearOn technology which alerts you if you leave your phone behind. Security, not in the traditional sense.
3. AVL
Great protection provided
Call blocking feature
Antiy AVL is a former winner of the AV-Test (a well-respected independent antivirus testing outfit) award for best protection of mobile devices. Its features include not only an antivirus database (of course) but a scanner capable of detecting any kind of executable file making its way onto your device.
Other handy features include a call blocker to prevent malicious numbers from contacting you, as well as an anti-phishing feature to stop harmful websites from loading in the first place. The app is also designed to be light on resources, which is always handy when you’re struggling for battery life.
4. McAfee Security & Power Booster Free
Sports some nifty features and blocks malicious sites
Polices installed apps for data leakage
McAfee is another well-known name when it comes to antivirus software for the PC, and this Android app - McAfee Mobile Security - doesn’t disappoint. Besides the antivirus scanner itself, free features include tracking a lost device as well as locking and wiping it remotely. If your device is stolen, the app can even take a picture of the thief…
Other highlights include the ability to scan apps to check if they leak sensitive information, and lock them if necessary. McAfee will also block access to potentially malicious websites, as well as allow you to keep a blacklist of nuisance callers and texters.
5. Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
Tackles the core job of sniffing out malware with aplomb
Blocks malicious sites or links
Kaspersky has a reputation up there with the big players like Bitdefender. The free version of its security app has some impressive features, and it’s very good at picking up on malware, with a detection rate of 99.9% according to AV-Test’s trials from November 2017.
Kaspersky Antivirus & Security will also try to block any malicious sites or links before you click through to them, preventing an infection from happening in the first place. A key feature is support for Android Wear which simplifies security management.
6. Sophos Free Antivirus and Security
Award-winning protection from Sophos
No adverts
Sophos’ free antivirus app has previously won the AV-Test award for best protection in 2015. Unlike other free scanners, Sophos doesn’t contain any adverts. It does, however, block websites with potentially spammy or illegal content.
Apps are scanned for malware or otherwise harmful content as they are installed and Sophos alerts you if they might leak any sensitive information. The antivirus scanner can be scheduled to scan files and folders periodically, and the malware database itself is updated daily.
The app also includes a handy QR code scanner which can be used to set up secure Wi-Fi connections. There’s also an authenticator that can generate one-time passwords for two-factor authentication.
7. Norton Security and Antivirus
Another big name offering tight security for your mobile
Remote locking of phone
This free app from Norton was able to detect 100% of all Android malware when benchmarked by AV-Test a few months ago. The scanner is powered by Norton Mobile Insight and can detect viruses inside apps and files, then remove them automatically.
Other useful security features include the ability to lock your phone via an SMS message, or if the SIM card is removed. You can also choose to remotely lock your device if it goes missing (or have it locked after 10 unsuccessful attempts to enter the passcode).
8. Trend Micro Mobile Security & Antivirus
Impressive security with parental control features
Integrated privacy scanner for Facebook
Trend Micro’s effort not only scans new apps for malware, but prevents newly installed apps from accessing other programs, which can be useful for device admins and parents.
There’s also a built-in privacy scanner for Facebook which warns you if your profile settings are displaying sensitive personal information.
There is a free version of the app, along with a paid-for version with a premium list of features. These include a malware blocker which is capable of scanning apps before they are even installed to pre-emptively avoid any potential infection. There are also utilities for safe surfing, as well as call and text filtering.
9. AhnLab V3 Mobile Security
An app which runs well even on older Android devices
Plenty of features
This security app from South Korean AhnLab is not as famous as the others on this list, but nonetheless has very high detection rates for Android malware according to AV-Test (99.6%) and runs well even on older Android devices. Indeed, it has a built-in booster to help speed up your phone’s performance.
The app comes with a free 10-day trial of the anti-malware features which proactively search for vulnerabilities and warn you if apps could potentially leak sensitive personal information.
Other handy privacy features include a hidden gallery for personal photos and a privacy cleaner to securely clear your browsing history. Other features include the ability to stop phishing URLs, as well as to selectively block unwanted and unknown calls, and there’s also built-in protection to stop malware from uninstalling the app.
10. Avira Antivirus Security
Has a smart system of categorising apps on a privacy scale
Neat Identity Safeguard feature
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Avira’s mobile offering will not only scan files you download and content on your phone’s memory, but it can also scan external storage such as your SD card. Applications are rated using a privacy scale to help you easily decide how much they can be trusted with your data.
The integrated ‘Identity Safeguard’ regularly checks if the email addresses in your contacts list have been involved in any major data breaches. The app is controlled by a web-based management portal, which is extremely useful if you want to set up a common policy over multiple Android devices.
The premium version includes better support, automatic blocking of malicious websites, and more frequent updates.
I received a message on my phone that says, 'Your browser is heavily damaged by (4) virus!' Right above that message it says Google & at the very top is www.cirplana.top. Is this legit? It says that if I do not remove virus now it will cause serious damage to my Samsung SM-S90L. It says this is from recent adult sites. That is not true. Not once have I ever visited an adult site.Do I click to repair?Thank you for your help.
Shannon KennimerShannon Kennimer
5 Answers
It is phishing site, I've just had the same on my Samsung S7,All I did was cleared my chrome browser history and closed all opened pages! Doubled check with a free Avast antivirus run a scan and nothing on my phone at all!
PetePete
It's just a phishing website and it is totally normal if you are seeing this.These kind of websites generally pops up when you are trying to download something (songs,apks etc) and you can't actually do a lot to get rid of these websites but if your device is rooted you can use apps like adaway to block these websites
ashishmalgawaashishmalgawa
The Four Viruses is just a scam… Do NOT click OK and/or Repair Now.
Instead, press your Home button and then navigate to:
Apps —> Settings —> Applications —> Application Manager and then scroll down to your browser that has the offending pop-up message… most likely Chrome.
Next, follow these steps (in order):
Click Chrome, Click Force Stop, Click Storage, Click Manage Storage, Click Clear All Data
![]() Viruses Are Not Living Because
Finally, Restart your phone.
When you re-launch the Chrome browser, you will need to either login to your Google account, or click No Thanks to continue.
RobertRobert
Just say for fun.
I'm saying it here. Do you believe it? Definitely no!
For the same reason, there's no point in believing that page. It's just a webpage, with tricky phishing information on it. All you need to do is close that page and (recommended-ly) clear your browser's history and cache.
In case you're still worried, you can optionally get an antivirus software with good reputation and review, though this is hardly ever useful. It's just an assurance to your mind that your phone isn't really infected.
iBugiBug
5,85233 gold badges2929 silver badges5959 bronze badges
This just happened to me so I did some research on it being really scared. I found out it is fake and a scam. If you look you will see that it does not say the site is secure as 'Google' pages will, it is not a 'Google' Google message.
DO NOT DOWNLOAD THE WHAT IT TELLS YOU TO. (Viruses could occur.) If you are still worried try clearing all history, restarting your device, and do some farther research. Just take a deep breath, your device is fine.
Ashley ThomsonAshley Thomson
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Viruses and other types of malware seem largely confined to Windows in the real world. Even on a Windows 8 PC, you can still get infected with malware. But how vulnerable are other operating systems to malware?
When we say “viruses,” we’re actually talking about malware in general. There’s more to malware than just viruses, although the word virus is often used to talk about malware in general.
Why Are All the Viruses For Windows?
RELATED:Why Windows Has More Viruses than Mac and Linux
Not all of the malware out there is for Windows, but most of it is. We’ve tried to cover why Windows has the most viruses in the past. Windows’ popularity is definitely a big factor, but there are other reasons, too. Historically, Windows was never designed for security in the way that UNIX-like platforms were — and every popular operating system that’s not Windows is based on UNIX.
Windows also has a culture of installing software by searching the web and downloading it from websites, whereas other platforms have app stores and Linux has centralized software installation from a secure source in the form of its package managers.
Do Macs Get Viruses?
The vast majority of malware is designed for Windows systems and Macs don’t get Windows malware. While Mac malware is much more rare, Macs are definitely not immune to malware. They can be infected by malware written specifically for Macs, and such malware does exist.
At one point, over 650,000 Macs were infected with the Flashback Trojan. [Source] It infected Macs through the Java browser plugin, which is a security nightmare on every platform. Macs no longer include Java by default.
Apple also has locked down Macs in other ways. Three things in particular help:
Macs are certainly not immune to all malware, and someone going out of their way to download pirated applications and disable security features may find themselves infected. But Macs are much less at risk of malware in the real world.
Android is Vulnerable to Malware, Right?
RELATED:Does Your Android Phone Need an Antivirus App?
Android malware does exist and companies that produce Android security software would love to sell you their Android antivirus apps. But that isn’t the full picture. By default, Android devices are configured to only install apps from Google Play. They also benefit from antimalware scanning — Google Play itself scans apps for malware.
You could disable this protection and go outside Google Play, getting apps from elsewhere (“sideloading”). Google will still help you if you do this, asking if you want to scan your sideloaded apps for malware when you try to install them.
In China, where many, many Android devices are in use, there is no Google Play Store. Chinese Android users don’t benefit from Google’s antimalware scanning and have to get their apps from third-party app stores, which may contain infected copies of apps.
The majority of Android malware comes from outside Google Play. The scary malware statistics you see primarily include users who get apps from outside Google Play, whether it’s pirating infected apps or acquiring them from untrustworthy app stores. As long as you get your apps from Google Play — or even another secure source, like the Amazon App Store — your Android phone or tablet should be secure.
What About iPads and iPhones?
Apple’s iOS operating system, used on its iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touches, is more locked down than even Macs and Android devices. iPad and iPhone users are forced to get their apps from Apple’s App Store. Apple is more demanding of developers than Google is — while anyone can upload an app to Google Play and have it available instantly while Google does some automated scanning, getting an app onto Apple’s App Store involves a manual review of that app by an Apple employee.
The locked-down environment makes it much more difficult for malware to exist. Even if a malicious application could be installed, it wouldn’t be able to monitor what you typed into your browser and capture your online-banking information without exploiting a deeper system vulnerability.
Of course, iOS devices aren’t perfect either. Researchers have proven it’s possible to create malicious apps and sneak them past the app store review process. [Source] However, if a malicious app was discovered, Apple could pull it from the store and immediately uninstall it from all devices. Google and Microsoft have this same ability with Android’s Google Play and Windows Store for new Windows 8-style apps.
Does Linux Get Viruses?
RELATED:Why You Don’t Need an Antivirus On Linux (Usually)
Malware authors don’t tend to target Linux desktops, as so few average users use them. Linux desktop users are more likely to be geeks that won’t fall for obvious tricks.
As with Macs, Linux users get most of their programs from a single place — the package manager — rather than downloading them from websites. Linux also can’t run Windows software natively, so Windows viruses just can’t run.
Linux desktop malware is extremely rare, but it does exist. The recent “Hand of Thief” Trojan supports a variety of Linux distributions and desktop environments, running in the background and stealing online banking information. It doesn’t have a good way if infecting Linux systems, though — you’d have to download it from a website or receive it as an email attachment and run the Trojan. [Source] This just confirms how important it is to only run trusted software on any platform, even supposedly secure ones.
What About Chromebooks?
RELATED:How a Chromebook is Locked Down to Protect You
Chromebooks are locked down laptops that only run the Chrome web browser and some bits around it. We’re not really aware of any form of Chrome OS malware. A Chromebook’s sandbox helps protect it against malware, but it also helps that Chromebooks aren’t very common yet.
It would still be possible to infect a Chromebook, if only by tricking a user into installing a malicious browser extension from outside the Chrome web store. The malicious browser extension could run in the background, steal your passwords and online banking credentials, and send it over the web. Such malware could even run on Windows, Mac, and Linux versions of Chrome, but it would appear in the Extensions list, would require the appropriate permissions, and you’d have to agree to install it manually.
And Windows RT?
RELATED:What Is Windows RT, and How Is It Different from Windows 8?
Microsoft’s Windows RT only runs desktop programs written by Microsoft. Users can only install “Windows 8-style apps” from the Windows Store. This means that Windows RT devices are as locked down as an iPad — an attacker would have to get a malicious app into the store and trick users into installing it or possibly find a security vulnerability that allowed them to bypass the protection.
Malware is definitely at its worst on Windows. This would probably be true even if Windows had a shining security record and a history of being as secure as other operating systems, but you can definitely avoid a lot of malware just by not using Windows.
Of course, no platform is a perfect malware-free environment. You should exercise some basic precautions everywhere. Even if malware was eliminated, we’d have to deal with social-engineering attacks like phishing emails asking for credit card numbers.
Image Credit: stuartpilbrow on Flickr, Kansir on Flickr
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