If your phone has a virus the virus threatens its well-being. And of course, the fear of losing years of data can keep us up at night.Not to talk about the fact that with an Android phone, the risks are definitely more challenging.
The Android operating system is widely used across the world as it holds around 65% of the market share. Moreover, the convenience that Android phones afford its users has its disadvantages. Since the Android operating system gives its users the freedom to download tons of items directly from the internet, it puts the phones at risk.
Hackers are constantly trying to up their tactics to be able to sneakily get Android phone users to download malware. So it’s about time to reconsider the security of your phone.
How can you detect if your phone has a Virus?
It is pretty easy to detect that your Android phone has been compromised to a virus attack. Below are the telltale signs for you to spot if your phone has been infected by a Virus(mostly malware)
1. Battery Drainage is, of course, an expected end result to all of the symptoms below. All of these unauthorized functions in the background will ultimately cause your battery to drain quite quickly because your phone has a virus. So if you notice signs such as a drastic drainage in your battery or your phone heating up even if you’re not excessively using it, be alarmed. However, before you conclude that this is caused by a virus, please read my article here on how to optimise an android phone’s battery
2. Excessive Pop-ups is one of the most obnoxious and obvious signs of them all. If you’re seeing uncalled for ads, reminders and unfamiliar system warnings, then the integrity of your phone may be compromised. This will result in slowing your phone and wasting your data. Also, you are potentially installing even more malware.
3. Spikes in your Data Usage should be the first sign that your phone is infected. Phones that are infested with adware(advertising ware) maliciously perform clicks in the background to spawn profit for cybercriminals. Try to compare your current mobile data charges to the billings of previous months and spot any unusual activity.
4. Unexplained SMS Charges should be another red flag. Adware also sends text messages to premium-rate numbers without the user’s consent and accordingly, charges you behind your back if your phone has a virus.
5. In addition, you may have foreign Apps that you don’t recall installing to your phone. Trojan malware is known especially for downloading apps on your phone that is identical to popular apps. Cybercriminals and hackers, later on, change them to their original form through app updates.
What are the best methods of deleting viruses of your Android phone?
In most cases, a hard reset may be the only option. However, this comes at a huge price as you lose other valuable data that have not been backed up before the attack. Fortunately, you can get rid of the virus without having to factory reset your phone. This is possible if the infection is not that much.
Should I simply Factory reset my phone to get rid of the virus?
A factory reset means removing all your applications, losing all your data and erasing all your personal settings. So you may consider leaving this option as a last resort.
Delete Android Virus safely: the booting in safe mode trick.
First, attempt removing those malicious apps by heading to your Settings then Application Manager and don’t forget to tap ‘’Clear Cache’’ and ‘’Clear Data’’ before permanently Uninstalling those questionable apps.
However, some apps are quite stubborn because of their administrator access and won’t get uninstalled this way. In such instances, you will have to remove such malicious app via the “Safe Mode”. At this point, you will need to search for how to boot in safe mode for your individual Android phone. Generally, the following steps will work for most android phones,
- Hold the power button on your phone until the ‘’Power Off’’ option appears.
- Tap and hold to the ‘’Power Off’’ option until the ‘’Safe Mode’’ option appears.
- Go back to your Application Manager and Uninstall those apps
If these apps are clinging to your phone by their administrator access, consider the following:
- Head to Settings >> Security >> Device administrators
- Locate the app that refuses to install
- Uncheck the box
- Next, tap on “Deactivate”
- Head back to your Application Manager again and uninstall the app for good
After getting rid of these suspicious/malicious apps, restart your phone to complete the process.
Are there reliable antivirus software for Android phones?
I don’t really use antivirus software to Delete Android Virus. However, there are two companies that offer a good security solution for your android phone in the form of an app. These companies are Avira(rings a bell right? and Kaspersky)
Avira functions as a shield to your phone against spyware and malware, which is a preventative step that you should definitely take, not to put your phone at risk. Additionally, Avira protects your data such as your photos, chats, emails and things of this nature from breaches and possible theft. It also helps you track your phone in case it got lost or stolen. Moreover, in this era of privacy invasion, the app lets you know the sensitive data that each app you install attempts to collect. And most importantly, the app is of a light nature on your system.
Download Avira from Google Play Store here
Kaspersky also protects your phone against online dangers. It’s a free to download an app that secures your information and guarantees your peace of mind. The app performs background checks that scans for viruses and blocks malware from your phone. It also has the App Lock features, which gives you the options of locking your apps. Its Anti-Phishing feature also protects your financial information while online banking or shopping.
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